Watch: 700 participants jump into freezing waters at Polar Plunge

After the plunge, participants ran to dry off with a towel and change into fresh clothes. James Wilcox of the Verrazano Kiwanis Club dried off on the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Boardwalk after he jumped in the water.

“It wasn’t that bad. It was almost refreshing,” he said with a smile. “Actually, I’m lying, it was pretty cold.”