Participants head into Lake Ontario at Woodbine Beach on New Year’s Day for the Community Cold Plunge presented by the Unbounded organization. Photo by Alan Shackleton.

More than 2,000 people braved the frigid air and water temperatures on New Year’s Day to take part in a polar bear dip at Woodbine Beach on the afternoon of Thursday, Jan. 1.

Presented by the Unbounded organization, yesterday’s Community Cold Plunge was held in support of Jack.org which helps provide youth mental health programs across Canada.

With temperatures hovering in the range of -15 Celsius with the wind chill, the plungers went through a warm-up session before bravely heading into Lake Ontario for the polar bear dip.

Beach Metro Community News was there on New Year’s Day to capture these photos and video from the Community Cold Plunge: