Polar Dip 2013

Paul Spence, centre, and his sons David, left, and Michael kicked of this year's Polar Bear Dip at Palmer's Pond in Dorchester. 1 width:500px;height:317px Left to right, David, Paul and Michael Spence exit the water after taking the icy plunge. 2 width:500px;height:336px Zac, left, and Josh Cormier leap out of the water after taking the plunge. 3 width:500px;height:345px Zac Cormier heads for the shore after his dip into Palmer's Pond. 4 width:500px;height:321px This dipper shakes the water off his body after exiting Palmer's Pond Tuesday. 5 width:500px;height:335px

Amy Partridge gets cold feet in more ways than one as she opts out of taking the plunge with her father Andy, left, and Alex Thompson. 6 width:500px;height:346px Amy Partridge asks for a count of 10 before jumping into the icy waters of Palmer's Pond. Partridge failed to jump after the initial countdown from five. 7 width:500px;height:311px After assisting her in getting into the water, Dorchester firefighters help Amy Partridge back onto the ice on New Year's Day. 8 width:500px;height:373px Thes three dippers take the plunge during Tuesday's event. 9 width:500px;height:331px This participant in Tuesday's Polar Bear Dip in Dorchester didn't waste any time in returning to shore and some warm clothes after she took the plunge. 10 width:500px;height:373px

Kim Cooke snaps a few photos as she heads to the hole in the ice, followed by Chrystal Gionette, to take part in Tuesday's Polar Bear Dip in Dorchester. 11 width:500px;height:395px These unidentified dippers gasp in shock at the icy water as they scramble to get back on solid ground. 12 width:500px;height:380px Leanne Laracey lets out a scream after emerging from the icy waters of Palmer's Pond on Tuesday. 13 width:500px;height:320px This dipper was so cold she hopped on the spot several times before heading for shore. 14 width:500px;height:370px Kevin Alder, left, and Mike Harborne didn't waste any time getting out of the water after they took the plunge during Tuesday's Polar Bear Dip in Dorchester. 15 width:500px;height:356px

Father-and-son duo Denis and Donald Landry head for the icy water during Tuesday's Polar Bear Dip. 16 width:500px;height:357px Josh Cormier, left, and David Spence take a second dip in Palmer's Pond Tuesday during Dorchester's 19th annual Polar Bear Dip. 17 width:500px;height:385px These members of the Dorchester Fire Department strip out of their bunker gear before taking the plunge in Tuesdays Polar Bear Dip. 18 width:500px;height:380px Jacque Poirier didn't waste any time exiting the water during his second dip on Tuesday afternoon. Poirier is joined by Dorchester fire chief Greg Partridge. 19 width:500px;height:365px