For some people, the New Year begins with a ball drop or a champagne toast. For others, a dunk into the chilly waters of Dorchester Bay is a better fit.

You can count a bunch of your Savin Hill neighbors among the latter group.

Mark Culliton and his two sons, Oliver and Julius, were among a group of about 25 brave souls who jumped into the bay on Monday afternoon at Savin Hill Beach. They jokingly call themselves the "Wild Swimming Seals of Savin Hill."

“This is the third year in a row that we've invited friends to come and do a polar plunge at Malibu and had maybe 20-25 folks who went in,” said Culliton, who organized the outing with his neighbor and friend Laura McNeil.

“Laura did most of the heavy lifting in getting people out,” Culliton said in an interview with the Reporter. “We met rock climbing at a rock spot over in Southie, so a bunch of folks from the climbing gym and just inviting friends to come and join us. Since they only go in the water at high tide, this year's swim took place at 2:40 p.m.”

“It’s a great way to start the new year and we’re psyched to be doing it in Dorchester,” said Culliton, who has lived in the neighborhood since 1999. He’s also the founder and CEO of College Bound Dorchester and the co-founder of Boston Uncornered, a nonprofit that seeks to end systematic generational urban poverty and violence. When he’s not working to improve the city, Culliton can be found running marathons, rock climbing, and jumping into freezing water.

“My two sons, Oliver and Julius, we plunge pretty regularly at Malibu Beach at high tide,” said Culliton.

“I always say a plunge is a control-alt-delete for your brain to restart and a new way to welcome in the new year with a fresh new look,” said the father of two. “We love it and do it regularly, so we try to get people to come and join us all the time.”

The polar plunge crew are always looking for more people to join them in the fun. Anyone interested can email Culliton at mark@uncornered.org.