MATTAPOISETT — Even on Christmas Day, Mattapoisett does not fear the cold.

Back for its first edition since the Covid-19 pandemic began, polar plungers took to Mattapoisett Town Beach for the 17th Annual Helping Hands and Hooves Christmas Day Swim in 25-degree weather.

Helping Hands and Hooves is a Mattapoisett-based therapeutic horseback riding program that supports adults with special needs. Erik Dyson, treasurer of the organization and the husband of organization co-founder Debbi Dyson, started the Christmas Day tradition with a cold-water swim 20 years ago.

On Christmas morning, there was one rule for swimmers: “If you don’t go all the way under the water, you’re going back in!” Erik announced over a megaphone.

Erik and his daughter, Abby, co-hosted the event.

Helping Hands and Hooves Co-Founder Julie Craig said she goes into the water every year and described the experience as “miserable.”

“You know it’s really going to hurt, and there’s nothing you can do about it,” Craig said.

David Valentine, on the other hand, wanted to benefit a good cause. He also said “I’m going for that jolt of adrenaline.”

“A lot of people come and they pay not to plunge,” said Craig. “We get a lot of donations that way.”

Most of the people bold enough to go for a late-December swim in Massachusetts waters raced back to the beach—and their warm cars—faster than the Dysons could prepare hot chocolate.

“Christmas Day is a great time,” said Craig. “It’s a quick get-together, everybody says hello, wishes each other well, has some hot chocolate, and then goes on their way. A lot of people do the New Year’s Day plunge, we decided to do something different.”