FINAL DETAILS
CONTACT LOUIS K (http://www.meetup.com...) FOR MORE CONFIRMING DETAILS IF YOU WISH. Mobile: 646-232-4134.

Time/location & other information for event:
I am receiving some conflicting information from Polar Bears about time and price of event. In putting everything together here is the meetup info:
A. I will be on Coney Island Boardwalk/Stillwell Ave., at the Polar Bears signup table between 9:00 to 10:45AM, provided that the breakfast doesn't begin earlier. If it does open earlier I will be found inside dining area in the WARM room eating/resting.
We will be able to buy tickets from the Polar Bears at their sign-in table on Stillwell/Boardwalk which will entitle us to their breakfast & the Aquarium admission.
I was told that the breakfast doesn't begin until 10:15-10:30 but It might easily happen that the breakfast could begin at 9:00 since everything done by Polar Bears volunteers seems to be a 'seat of the pants' type of thing. The breakfast once open fills up quickly as you can imagine. I do not intend to miss it as it is a great breakfast.
B. Someone told me that this year the minimum contribution (which is sold by the Sunshine Club as a fundraiser for their camp dedicated to children with severe illness) might be $10.00 but it also might be, as it was last year $5.00.
Note that last year they also provided a T-shirt to everyone, but no one seems to know if that will happen this year again. Whether $5.00 or $10.00 it is both a great value and a worthy one (& probably tax deductible).
C. As soon as the breakfast opens I intend to go to it. Far better to be inside eating then standing outside in the cold, I can assure you. I will wait inside at the breakfast as late as 11:00AM for any latecomers, after which time I will go over to the Aquarium for about an hour.
D. The swim should take place between 12:45-1:00PM and if you want to go onto the beach to watch you should be on the sand not later than 12:30- 12:45PM.
E. As the day wears on the event becomes a total mad house. Mobile connections can be spotty and because of the noise mobiles are difficult to hear. It is very very difficult to find anyone in the crowds. (I am using the plural of crowd on purpose). Because of this I urge that you try to meet at the following rendezvous points:
(a). From 9:00 to 11:00 AM either at the sign-in table or in the dining room. I am caucasian, male, bald, old, wearing a White cap marked "SHOREWALKERS". Kick me if I am sleeping. My mobile will be on all day.
(b). From 11:00 to around 11:45 I will be inside the Aquarium
(c). After the Polar Bears swim, I will go back to the Aquarium and wait until about 1:45 for any latecomers.
(d). We will then take a group vote as to what to do next.
Since the group might be large enough we could even divide in two. Some might want to walk down to Brighton before eating and others might want to eat right away. Choice will be yours. I have not picked out any particular restaurant but it will be Ukrainian/Russian.
(e). After eating/walking I intend to go back into the Aquarium for another hour before heading home.
(f). Repeating some caveats:
* Dress in layers. Wind chill can drop to 0. Wear decent pair of warm foot gear. Hat/Gloves should be obvious. Aquarium will be warm so be prepared to strip down.
* It is New Years day. Beware of the very late/slow running subway/bus service. Someplace there is paid parking.
All directions & parking info are also provided on the Polar Bears web site, noted in the general instructions below.
* Watching the Polar Bears is free. Swimming is also free! Breakfast/Aquarium require a 'Sunshine Camp/Polar Bear" contribution. Lunch is on your own dime.
* If you wish to actually participate in the Swim in the Ocean then look at the 2nd Meetup event that is posted for January 1st. For details on the swim you can contact Walt at: [masked]
Link to swimming portion: http://www.meetup.com...
* Take pictures. Please post them on the Meetup website.

I am looking forward to this: It was great fun last year and I am certain it will be again this year.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! LOUIS.

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We presented this event last year for the first time & it was a great experience.

Watch the Polar Bears jump into the ocean wearing beathing suits & smiles.
Join them first for a great breakfast, visit the fantastic NY Aquarium, walk the Boardwalk (your pace & distance or a power walk as the group may jointly decide), and have lunch at one of the many interesting Ukrainian/Russian restaurants along the way.

Bring your mobiles: There will be over 1,000 people there looking and it would be easy to get lost in the crowd.

Dress appropriately for WINTER. Wear layers. Aquarium will be warm.
Bring your cameras. The pictures of the men & women going into the Atlantic with windchill of around "0" will be fun & UTube worthy. We welcome your posting picture on Meetup, but please remember that all pictures will become public property after you do so.

Contribute to the Polar Bear Charity (cost $5.00 to $10.00/person-) and all the Polar Bear events (Breakfest, Aquarium, Polar Bear watching, and the hike) will be free. Sorry lunch not included. The exact minimum dollar contribution was subject to Polar Bear decision that has not been finalized.
Link to the Polar Bears web site: http://www.polarbearc...
Link to further description of the Polar Bear fund raising: http://www.freezinfor...

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To receive automatic reminders subscribe to the free RSS feeds in both "What's New" on right of your home page, and ALSO, separately, on the RSS feeds in the Calendar (at bottom of page). Also post "Export to Calendar" to your own calendar (found below Meetup Title).
Please look into the Shorewalkers website for more information & Shorewalkers news: http://www.shorewalke...
We invite and welcome posting on the Meetup calendar your pictures taken during this event. 
It is Shorewalkers intention to periodically rotate member pictures on the Meetup home page, without attribution, and if it is OK for us to use your photos please post your approval on our message board. We suggest you use these words: 

"Uploaders of these photos certify that they belong to us, and we give permission to Shorewalkers to use our photos on the Meetup page without renumeration or credit. We do not give permission to use our photos in any commercial venture nor do we give anyone permission to anyone other than Shorewalkers to use our photos in any way without our previous written approval. All rights to the posted photos belong solely to their uploaders."
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Your participation in any of our activities is your acknowledgment that you are solely responsible for your own assessment of your abilities and your physical fitness to participate in that activity. Walkers must be physically fit and by joining any event you agree to waive all rights and claims for damages against Shorewalkers, it’s officers, or it’s Leaders. 

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For additional transport info & estimated travel times we suggest: 
New York City Transit trip planner: http://tripplanner.mt... and MTA schedules: http://www.mta.info/m... 
Also: Hopstop link: http://www.hopstop.co... 
and Google maps: http://maps.google.co...
Questions? Do NOT contact organizers. Do N OT use "Comment" note nor "Message Board" for questions. 
Contact ONLY the listed leader(s) below please.

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IF YOU WISH TO JOIN THE POLAR BEARS IN THE OCEAN!:
Meet on Boardwalk at Coney Island in late morning; bring bathing suit for a refreshing swim, towel, warm cloths.
A Partner is strongly urged to hold your bathing suit etc. If you require a partner either Louis or Walt MAY be able to arrange a partner for you (but NO promises though!)

THE ACTUAL SWIM PORTION HAS BEEN MADE INTO A SEPARATE EVENT FOR JANUARY 1ST. IF YOU WISH TO JOIN THE POLAR BEARS IN THE SWIM PLEASE GO TO THAT EVENT AND RSVP FOR THAT SWIM SEPARATELY.

You must contact leaders for specific details (time, meeting place, and so forth) about one week prior to event.
Leader Walt; [masked], OR thru the contact link at Asst Organizer border at left "walt biker-walker'.