L Street Brownies' chilly swim is an old tradition for New Year's Day

South Boston is home to one of the oldest New Year's Day swims in the nation: the L Street Brownies. The swimming club says its tradition dates back to the 19th century, and became an annual event in 1904.

"It was just people who swam every day anyway and they decided 'Why not?'" said Dan Monahan, the current president of the club.

Over time, the annual dip to start the year grew from about a dozen people to hundreds. It has also become a fundraiser, and the group sells shirts for the swim each year with the money going to nonprofits in South Boston.

The 2024 edition of the swim will take place at the M Street Beach in South Boston at 10 a.m., which can be very early on the first day of the year.

"This is not going to be a hangover cure or stuff like that," Monahan warns. "This has nothing to do with that. This has everything to do with yourself meeting a challenge."

His advice for first timers: bring a towel, a hoodie, and a change of clothes. He warns the L Street Bathhouse will not be open for getting out of wet, cold clothes. He adds that the swim itself is relatively quick.

"We're not swimming laps out there. You get in there, duck your head in and you did it."