Polar Plunge 2017

Well-wishers wrapped themselves in blankets while watching the polar bears hit the water during Sunday's Polar Bear Plunge on Rehoboth Beach.

A true Viking?

Special Olympian Jeremy Eglit, aka Poseidon, with mother Jamie and grandmother Marianne from Ocean View pose for a photo before heading into the Atlantic.

Ian Snitch, a senior at Middletown High School, leads the charge into the Atlantic for the 2017 Polar Bear Plunge. The MHS team was the largest assembled in the plunge's 26-year history.

Thousands of brave souls head back out of the water.

A couple of bare-chested revelers dash toward the Atlantic on Sunday during the 2017 Polar Bear Plunge.

A crowd of several thousand onlookers and participants at least enjoyed sunny skies if not balmy weather on the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk during the 2017 Polar Bear Plunge.

An "angler" and his catch wander the boardwalk on Sunday.

Janet Fowler, Lorna Wohl and Nancy Pezzino, all from Philadelphia, get ready to plunge as over 3,500 "Bears" braved air temperatures of 49 degrees and water temperatures of 41 degrees to make the 26th Annual Lewes Polar Bear Plunge, held at Rehoboth Beach on Sunday to raise money for Delaware Special Olympics.

Over 3,500 "Bears" braved unseasonably warm but nonetheless chilly weather to make the 26th Annual Lewes Polar Bear Plunge, held at Rehoboth Beach on Sunday to raise money for Delaware Special Olympics. Plungers came dressed in all kinds of costumes to spread awareness for the cause, which raises thousands of dollars through this annual event.

Over 3,500 "polar bears" braved air temperatures of 49 degrees and 41-degree water to take the 26th Annual Lewes Polar Bear Plunge, held at Rehoboth Beach on Sunday, Feb. 5. The event raises money for Special Olympics Delaware.

Over 3,500 "polar bears" braved air temperatures of 49 degrees and 41-degree water to take the 26th Annual Lewes Polar Bear Plunge, held at Rehoboth Beach on Sunday, Feb. 5. The event raises money for Special Olympics Delaware.

Over 3,500 "polar bears" -- many in costumes -- braved air temperatures of 49 degrees and 41-degree water to take the 26th Annual Lewes Polar Bear Plunge, held at Rehoboth Beach on Sunday, Feb. 5. The event raises money for Special Olympics Delaware.

Over 3,500 "polar bears" braved air temperatures of 49 degrees and 41-degree water to take the 26th Annual Lewes Polar Bear Plunge, held at Rehoboth Beach on Sunday, Feb. 5. The event raises money for Special Olympics Delaware.

The Super Bowl-themed ice sculpture fit the chilly weather of the annual plunge for Special Olympics Delaware on Sunday, Feb. 5.

Over 3,500 "polar bears" braved 41-degree water to take the 26th Annual Lewes Polar Bear Plunge, held at Rehoboth Beach on Sunday, Feb. 5. The event raises money for Special Olympics Delaware.

Over 3,500 "polar bears" -- some in elaborate costumes -- braved 41-degree water to take the 26th Annual Lewes Polar Bear Plunge, held at Rehoboth Beach on Sunday, Feb. 5. The event raises money for Special Olympics Delaware.

Supporters of Special Olympics Delaware took the Lewes Polar Bear Plunge Sunday, Feb. 5, raising $900,000 for the organization.

Over 3,500 "polar bears" took the 26th Annual Lewes Polar Bear Plunge, held at Rehoboth Beach on Sunday, Feb. 5. The event raises money for Special Olympics Delaware.

Over 3,500 "polar bears" braved the cold to take the 26th Annual Lewes Polar Bear Plunge, held at Rehoboth Beach on Sunday, Feb. 5. The event raises money for Special Olympics Delaware.

About $900,000 was raised Sunday with more than 3,500 "polar bears" taking the 26th Annual Lewes Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics Delaware.