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Pony Plungers Welcome 2024 with a chilly dip in Atlantic
Zany costumes and more highlight Chincoteague Pony Plunge
January 9, 2024 - Uploaded By: Ed Wessells
Published By: Phillip Spohn / Special To Salisbury Daily Times
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_bd8b3eba478a4c17aba6e916dd647a7a~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_440,h_293,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/4f0778_bd8b3eba478a4c17aba6e916dd647a7a~mv2.webp)
CHARGE! A T-Rex starts chasing folks into the chilly ocean at the New Year's Day plunge in Chincoteague.
![72087418007-l-1003352.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_817145c340b4488fad4458bbf0cb2125~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_440,h_293,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/72087418007-l-1003352.webp)
More than 100 plungers head into the 48-degree waters of Atlantic Ocean at the New Year's Day Pony Polar Plunge in Chincoteague.
![72087313007-l-1003253.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_ae2113c522e54965b9d6925bb3bca0d9~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_440,h_293,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/72087313007-l-1003253.webp)
A unicorn gets a read on the surf on Assateague Beach before the 12th Annual Chincoteague Polar Pony Plunge.
![72087321007-l-1003261.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_36fe2b1207884c8fb7be1e41284ae61b~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_110,h_62,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/72087321007-l-1003261.webp)
Folks come from "Far Far Away" in order to take the plunge in Chincoteague.
![72087476007-l-1003392.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_9508d0a34f5149c88d1881c1847f22ca~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_110,h_62,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/72087476007-l-1003392.webp)
A very young plunger gets a hand going into the water after most of the crowds have dispersed at the Chincoteague plunge.
![72087392007-l-1003300.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_128d8529adca4e6d9ed4246b9c5f06e8~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_110,h_62,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/72087392007-l-1003300.webp)
This family of unicorns gets into position for the polar plunge in Chincoteague.
![72087416007-l-1003354.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_0849390fc00d48e7a058d72aad1834d1~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_110,h_73,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/72087416007-l-1003354.webp)
Costumes, board shorts and rainbows all head into the water at the Chincoteague plunge.
![72087361007-l-1003280.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_25bd2aa7e8fb42bea5243f15e8a99d7f~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_110,h_62,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/72087361007-l-1003280.webp)
These Assateague Beach penguins are not shy about posing for pictures at the Chincoteague Pony Polar Plunge.
![72087479007-l-1003403.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_d87fe7dc38de46e7864fafd5730a4cfd~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_110,h_62,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/72087479007-l-1003403.webp)
Wet penguins pose for a pic after the plunge in Chincoteague.
![72087396007-l-1003319.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_c70136758eb6496b9efd9c5fd8c3d17a~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_110,h_73,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/72087396007-l-1003319.webp)
Event staff takes a survey of the crowd at Chincoteague's Pony Polar Plunge on New Year's Day.
![72087463007-l-1003368.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_85ebdcaeee09417fb18c0b8f62e68c1a~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_110,h_73,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/72087463007-l-1003368.webp)
![72087387007-l-1003287.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_1674e996c7e74644a2be570a03b88e41~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_110,h_73,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/72087387007-l-1003287.webp)
Even the mighty T-Rex doesnt like the cold water.
Pony heads mark the boundaries for spectators at the Chincoteague plunge.
![72087355007-l-1003274.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_51d1d7f5c8794fa2a184b4630b70127a~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_110,h_62,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/72087355007-l-1003274.webp)
Santa and an elf stop for a picture at the Assateague Beach on New Year's Day.
![72087365007-l-1003284.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_29c565d608564f97b0c739b89f39712e~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_110,h_73,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/72087365007-l-1003284.webp)
A "flamingo" makes its way to the start line for the New Year's plunge in Chincoteague.
![72087474007-l-1003380.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_b2f59261b2194df7bfded47b9d78923d~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_110,h_73,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/72087474007-l-1003380.webp)
Tattoos and tulle leave the chilly water with a big smile.
![72087354007-l-1003269.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_2843bb394ec74dc793ba73466aab38ff~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_110,h_62,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/72087354007-l-1003269.webp)
Pony heads on sticks mark the start line of the runup to the water at the Pony Polar Plunge.
![72087319007-l-1003257.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_c16075e0c64042beb4bfacaefd2c7af9~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_110,h_62,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/72087319007-l-1003257.webp)
These plungers take a quiet moment to check out the surf before it gets hectic on Assateague Beach for the Pony Polar Plunge on New Year's Day.
![72087395007-l-1003333.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_a7f9fc5620be4b5892827dd6f1cceb51~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_440,h_293,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/72087395007-l-1003333.webp)
On your marks, get set ... even the start flag is a pony at the Chincoteague Pony Polar Plunge.
![72087470007-l-1003372.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_6acbe8f477384ab990f72b7603c2f3e8~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_110,h_62,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/72087470007-l-1003372.webp)
A plethora of colorfully costumed plungers make their way back onto the beach after the Chincoteague Pony Polar Plunge.
![72087432007-l-1003357.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_b755af4fb855482a8a6e2c9848f30156~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_92,h_73,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/72087432007-l-1003357.webp)
A unicorn gets a little helping hand on the way to the water.
![72087433007-l-1003356.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_0a9fdab4317e440dbbc3e17c19434431~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_110,h_73,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/72087433007-l-1003356.webp)
Young plungers head into the Atlantic at the Pony Polar Plunge in Chincoteague.
![72087472007-l-1003370.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_6375adcd19bd4d1ebdcb845b62924b16~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_110,h_73,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/72087472007-l-1003370.webp)
These plungers hurry out of the water back to warm towels on Assateague Beach.
![72087408007-l-1003336.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_e8a8fdbb6e374b39920099cb86c6485e~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_110,h_73,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/72087408007-l-1003336.webp)
The flamingos gather around their banner at the Chincoteague plunge.
![72087315007-l-1003258.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_175585ba3fb745b5bb81e6a839a9105b~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_110,h_62,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/72087315007-l-1003258.webp)
A herd of reindeer is ready to take the plunge at Assateague Beach on New Year's Day.
![72087389007-l-1003309.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_b54469854ba74292bd62503961511d30~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_110,h_62,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/72087389007-l-1003309.webp)
Plungers start to line up for the dip into the Atlantic on New Year's Day.
![72087478007-l-1003407.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_170720b41c98480f91dd998c9f7b968f~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_110,h_73,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/72087478007-l-1003407.webp)
The flamingos regroup on dry land after the Chincoteague plunge.
![72087458007-l-1003362.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_ce055e1b89d64d1fafc361078934b1c0~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_110,h_73,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/72087458007-l-1003362.webp)
Pony heads mark the boundaries for spectators at the Chincoteague plunge.
![72087388007-l-1003295.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_08e6665c120b41b39a117fadcd6b5166~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_110,h_73,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/72087388007-l-1003295.webp)
Spectators watch the plunge from behind a rope line at Assateague Beach.
![72087459007-l-1003366.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_1077104899f744a5a830ed22f8fb60a9~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_110,h_62,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/72087459007-l-1003366.webp)
And as quickly as they were in, some of the first plungers hurry out of the chilly waters of Atlantic at the Chincoteague event.
![72087356007-l-1003283.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_5efd7bfaf2bf417aa45316f6edc52d2f~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_110,h_62,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/72087356007-l-1003283.webp)
Santa makes his last appearance of the season at Chincoteague's Pony Polar Plunge.
![72087318007-l-1003255.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_bcc15653f61c455ab54c1ae8a2833c81~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_98,h_73,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/72087318007-l-1003255.webp)
A penguin and its minder check out Assateague Beach before Chincoteague's New Year's Day Pony Polar Plunge.
![72087314007-l-1003254.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f0778_17a832fb58044b32ac7f0f29c16fd182~mv2.webp/v1/fill/w_110,h_62,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/72087314007-l-1003254.webp)
The Gortons Fisherman is dressed for most any temperatures including a chilly New Year's Day 2024 at the Pony Polar Plunge.