Hundreds Brave Icy Atlantic For Penguin Swim

OCEAN CITY, Md. (AP) -- More than 600 people took a dip into the frigid Atlantic Ocean for Ocean City's 19th annual Penguin Swim.

The New Year's Day event raised more than $80,000 for the philanthropic arm of Atlantic General Hospital.

The crowd gathered on the beach in front of the Princess Royale hotel on 91st Street. Water temperature was in the low 40s, so few lingered for more than a few seconds.

The Daily Times of Salisbury reports that one musician carried bagpipes into the icy water. Others wore costumes depicting everything from penguins to the blue people from the movie "Avatar."

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)