Coney Island Swimmer Embraces Winter Chill

He’s cold all day!

For years, a Brooklyn model has made it a routine to take a frigid dip in the waters of Coney Island each morning. This weekend’s intense Winter Storm Fern isn’t going to change that.

Stephen Neese from Flatbush donned only his swim trunks, completing his regular 100-yard swim along the famous shoreline. As the snowstorm approached, the water temperature was a brisk 36 degrees, with wind chills dipping to 22 degrees.

“I feel rushed. I feel superhuman after coming out of the cold,” said Neese, 62, right after a refreshing swim.

This swim was relatively straightforward for Neese, who has faced even tougher conditions before. Just the other day, he braved a chilling wind chill of -2 degrees, yet he didn’t let icy rocks deter him.

It took him quite a while, though—more than the usual two hours—to regain feeling in his toes.

For the past decade, this model has been taking daily dips at Coney Island. He’s also ventured to Rockaway Beach and Atlantic Beach, citing both physical and mental health benefits from the practice.

The 300-foot swim between two piers in front of the Coney Island Amphitheater resembles a popular ice bath, which Neese believes helps boost the immune system and reduce inflammation.

There’s a meditative aspect to it, as well. Self-proclaimed “King of Coney Island,” he spends a couple of hours before swimming searching for shells and beach glass, trying to clear his mind and focus on the sky as he swims.

“It clears my mind,” Neese mentioned, expressing his appreciation for the “freedom” he feels.

“How can you not push yourself too hard when you are healthy?”

Recently, he had an extraordinary encounter with a seal that swam alongside him for the duration of his swim.

Still, there are moments when Neese questions his choices, wondering, “What the hell am I doing?” Despite his Wisconsin upbringing giving him some resilience to the cold, he isn’t immune to hesitation.

Last year, he almost suffered frostbite after walking barefoot in four inches of snow on the beach, but he still says a prayer each time he plunges into the first wave.

“You have to force yourself to do things you don’t want to do. Most people lead comfortable lives, but when you’re always comfortable, you miss out on what it feels like to be uncomfortable. It’s beneficial to push yourself a bit,” Neese reflected.

“It’s good to do something outside of your realm.”

Last year, the Brooklyn native began sharing his daily swims on TikTok to advance his professional career. Surprisingly, he attracted a dedicated following that admires his tenacity.

Of course, some hecklers film themselves, and there are others who approach him to voice their disbelief at his daring escapades.

Nevertheless, Neese embraces the excitement and isn’t deterred. Even with a major winter storm forecasted to potentially blanket the city with 18 inches of snow, he remains committed.

“I don’t really want to do it, but I’ll probably come out and do it,” he admitted, mentioning that he might adjust his swimming distance to make it quicker in the harsh winds.

“I’m not going to kill myself!”