Ninth annual Polar Bear Plunge in Memphis

MEMPHIS, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- The ninth annual Polar Bear Plunge in Memphis, Tenn., included a costume contest, prizes and a chili cook-off to benefit the Special Olympics.

Polar bear participant Joe Cody chose to wear only American flag swim trunks as he waded into the Wolf River Harbor Saturday, The (Memphis) Commercial-Appeal reported.

"Showing my patriotism," the 22-year-old said, standing on the cobblestone ramp at Mud Island River Park.

Cody and about 100 others jumped into the 44-degree water to raise money for Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics.

Cody even planned out how he would enter the cold water.

"I'm thinking kind of a 'Baywatch' run, you know, kind of slow," he said. "It's going to be brutal."

Special Olympics provides sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.