The Maryland Polar Bear Plunge - in pictures

People cheer as the countdown begins to jump into Chesapeake Bay at Sandy Point state park in Annapolis, Maryland during the 16th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge Photograph: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images A woman jumps into Chesapeake Bay at Sandy Point state park. The event is a charity function benefiting the Maryland Special Olympics Photograph: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images A man and his children make their way to Chesapeake Bay Photograph: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images A group of men run out of Chesapeake Bay brandishing swords Photograph: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images The Polar Bear Plunge organisers claim to have raised over $2,000,000 dollars in donations for this year's event Photograph: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images A young girl waits on the beach for her parents Photograph: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images Thousands of people take part in the event every year, some with more gusto than others Photograph: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images Two costumed men leave the water after taking the plunge Photograph: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images