UT Polar Bear Club Holiday T-Shirt Sale

Barton Springs hosts many time-honored traditions. While most Austinites take advantage of the summer days and nights, a handful of brave souls venture to the springs on the days when the air temperature drops below the water temperature. Most people are familiar with the Austin Polar Bear Club, which meets the morning of January 1st and performs a ritualistic dip to rejuvenate oneself at the onset of the new year. Their younger counterparts at the University of Texas Polar Bear Club have turned the ritual into a weekly meeting, commencing once the first cold front of the year sweeps through the capital city.

The first Polar Bear Club in the University's history began in the Winter 2005. For the last two years, each class has commemorated the winter season with long-sleeve tees or hoodie sweatshirts. This year, the club is returning with its classic long-sleeve and, for the first time since its creation, is opening up a liquidation sale to non-members, alumni or just any Austinite that loves Barton Springs. Click here to see a photograph of the shirts—they're $10 apiece and will be hand delivered by one of the Polar Bear Club members. Anyone interested in placing an order or supporting this year's students at the University of Texas at Austin Polar Bear Club can contact Austinist staffer and Polar Bear Club organizer Patrick Dentler.