New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge!

Description

Seattle's official Polar Bear Plunge is happening in the city for 2025 at Mathew's Beach.

The dip in the water is at noon sharp, but come early to sign up.

New Year's Day plunges are your family's chance to greet 2025 with an invigorating — if crazy — dive into a chilly lake or other body of water. For some, it’s an annual tradition.

If this is your family's first plunge, here's some big tips for making it through:

• Make the plunge even more special by dressing up in a costume!
• Come early, and carpool or take the bus (you can plan your trip at http://tripplanner.kingcounty.gov/).
• If you have heart problems or other serious medical concerns, we recommend that you consult your healthcare professional before taking the Polar Bear Plunge. If you can’t go in the water, come and watch!
• Don’t drink alcohol–it doesn’t warm you up, and it accelerates hypothermia.
• Stay in the water for no longer than 15 minutes—you lose body heat 25 times faster in water than in air.
• Keep your outer clothing on until you’re ready to get in the water. After the plunge, remove wet clothing before getting into dry clothes.

All ages are invited to participate, so jump in as a family. Those who immerse themselves up to the neck will receive a Commemorative Badge of Courage as proof of their participation in this frigid and invigorating annual craziness. All will be rewarded warm drinks as well.

Younger polar bears (or any bears who need a little more room to navigate) are encouraged to take part in the Polar Cub Club dip at 11:45 a.m. (You can jump in with your child first and then do it again in the main event for double bragging rights!)