Dozens of seaweed-covered people climbed out of Port Angeles Harbor on Tuesday morning after taking multiple dips into the water in the traditional New Year’s Day Polar Bear Dip.
And a baker’s dozen plus one did the same in Lake Pleasant on the West End to usher in the New Year.
Temperatures in the mid-30s at about 10 a.m. on Tuesday didn’t stop most of the Port Angeles group from stripping down to just a bathing suit and running full force into the lightly crashing surf.
Shrieks of shock and thrill echoed through the crowd of about 100 people leaping into the seaweed-laden waters, said Dan Welden, a founder and organizer of the event.
“This is just pure fun – good, healthy fun,” Welden said.
