Kids and kids at heart were changing out of their jammies and into their swim suits (or costumes) on New Year's morning to take the 12th Annual Polar Bear Plunge across the street from Dukes on Alki at 10:00 a.m. While the South Pole hit a balmy 9.9 degrees on Christmas Day, a record, it was solidly in the low 40's here, on Alki this morning.

Well over one hundred people showed up for the event this year all in various states of readiness with some clearly not having gone to bed from the night before. With the water temperature at 48 degrees it was warmer in the water than out. Still it takes grit, courage and a good warm towel for most participants.

It could have been called a polar/solar swim as plenty of sunshine donated to the cause as people greeted the new year with an invigorating dip.