Tulsans Plunge Into 2015 With Cold Splash

To some, it may be a crazy way to start the New Year, but several Tulsans made a big, cold, splash in 2015 at Tatur Racing's Polar Bear Plunge.

Call it crazy, or call it fun, most of the people that participated said they wouldn't have it any other way.

Tatur Racing's New Year's Day Polar Bear Plunge at Lifetime Fitness is a way for hundreds of people to welcome in the New Year.

William Barnes said he's been doing the every January 1st since 2007, and in full costume.

"You know I thought, why not jump in a freezing cold pool of water,” Barnes said.

Through freezing drizzle and 30 degree temperatures, participants jumped into the 40 degree water not once or twice, but three times.

Contestants ran a mile and half around the pool and jumped in the first time, ran another lap before heading down the slide and back into the pool.

At the end of it all, those who participate receive a massive medal to be worn with pride.

Brock "The medal's pretty sweet, so I'd say it was fun."

"I have fun every year, and every time I have fun I will continue to participate in that kind of event, and if it stops being fun and, like, I had to go to the hospital or something, well then maybe I'd think twice about it, but so far I'm still here," Barnes said with a laugh.

It was a cold start to 2015, all for bragging rights and one of the coveted medals.

EMSA did take one participant to the hospital for cold exposure, and paramedics treated four others at the event.