Hundreds of people across Canada marked New Year's Day by braving icy waters in several polar bear dips.

It was an unseasonal 4 C in Toronto when the dippers in swim suits -- and some sporting headgear that included Viking-style horns -- took the plunge at Sunnyside Beach at noon Sunday.

Some had done this several times since the first dip in 2006 but others were first-timers attracted by the chance to raise money for Habitat For Humanity or giving in to the urgings of family and friends.

Joe McCallion was one of the first timers, who was there at the urging of his daughter.

"It's off the bucket list," a laughing McCallion said after taking the plunge.

"I conquered it. Probably be back next year, too."

For Jennifer Noddle, her first dip was a New Year's Eve decision.

"I saw a preview of it last night (Saturday) and a couple of us went out to the pub last night and just decided we would do it," Noddle said.

"It was for a good cause and a good way to ring in the new year."

Organizers were hoping to raise $40,000 for Habitat For Humanity.

Laura McMahon said she was back for a third year to raise money for Habitat.

"It wakes you up after New Year's Eve," she said. "It's a lot of fun. You do it with family, with friends, you see some people year after year it's exciting."

Meanwhile, more than 150 people braved brisk winds and frigid water temperatures to plunge into the Atlantic Ocean near Halifax as part of an annual New Year's Day polar bear dip.

People young and old donned bikinis and swimming trunks for a brief-but-bitter dip into the icy waters in Herring Cove at noon Sunday.

Rob MacLellan, organizer of the event and a 14-year participant, says about $5000 was raised for local food bank Feed Nova Scotia.

Firefighters, police and emergency personnel were on hand to oversee the action and sent 20 people at a time to jump off the dock.

MacLellan, 54, compared the experience to being stabbed with needles thousands times.

He said the weather was ideal, with the temperature hovering at about 1 C and the sun peeking through the clouds.