Hundreds Launch New Year With an Icy Ocean City Plunge

In an increasingly popular Ocean City tradition, more than 500 took a ceremonial "First Dip" in the Atlantic Ocean on New Year's Day.

Crowds of intrepid souls, many in costume or in "team" uniform, lined the beach at Ninth Street in Ocean City, counted down at 2 p.m. and stampeded into the 42-degree ocean water — then charged back to the beach with even more urgency.

The Jan. 1 event is part of Ocean City's annual First Night and First Day New Year's celebration. First Night included more than 8,000 people enjoying a variety of entertainment programs. First Day included a 5-kilometer boardwalk run and sales at downtown businesses. Bright sunshine, 37-degree air and relatively light winds made for good conditions.

Check the video and photo gallery above to see if you recognize any of Wednesday's "swimmers."