Frigid temperatures made for some difficult conditions Monday during polar plunge events in Westport and Southport.

Crowds welcomed in the new year with the Polar Bear Plunge at Compo Beach, raising money for several different charities and testing their will while diving into freezing waters.

In Westport, the event was dedicated to the memory of Scott Rutsky – a dedicated polar plunger in past years.

Up the road in Southport, ice in the harbor caused a change in the event this year, where participants went sledding to raise funds for Shane DiGiovanna, who suffers from a rare skin disease.