Nothing’s going to stop those ready to take an cold dip in the water on New Year’s Day in celebration of new beginnings.
Groups will take the plunge in Port Angeles, Neah Bay and at Lake Pleasant on Friday in the annual New Year’s Day Polar Dips.
Port Angeles
In Port Angeles, a group will take a short jog down the Waterfront Trail at Hollywood Beach at about 9:45 a.m., said Dan Welden, who has attended most of the 22 years of the plunge.
Welden said some had worried about the 100,000 gallons of sewage that spilled into the Port Angeles Harbor on Dec. 18 after a pumping station on Marine Drive was disabled when a driver ran into it.
The spill had prompted the recommendation from the Clallam public health office that no recreation take place in Hollywood Beach and Valley Creek Estuary for four days.
Welden said that all has been cleared by the tides. The beaches were reopened on Dec. 22 after tests declared the water safe.
“They fixed the leak, and it’s pretty much taken care of now,” he said. “We won’t have to go through that obstacle again.”
He was more concerned about seaweed.
“Sometimes it is very thick, and you just never know until you get down there.”
Although no formal group organizes the event, Welden makes up certificates to hand out to people who participate.
Traditionally the Port Angeles group takes three quick dips in a row.
Neah Bay
In Neah Bay the rules are a bit different from those in Port Angeles. Dippers aren’t required to go in three times — but they are required to dive all the way in.
“They have to make sure and get their hair wet,” June Williams, who has participated most of the previous eight years and will participate again this year.
The group will jump in at noon just off of Bayview Avenue near the Senior Center, Williams said.
“After we shower up, we’ll go have soup or chili at someone’s home, though it isn’t sure whose that is this year,” Williams said.
Lake Pleasant
And just as in past years, the plunge into Lake Pleasant near Forks will allow people to show off their wackiest fashion choices.
Although not required, plungers often dress up before taking a dip.
Sonja Hirsch, who returns to Forks each year for the event, said the group will jump in at 10 a.m. Friday.
“We are so happy that it is significantly warmer than last year,” she said.
“Last year, there was some ice on the lake, and you could definitely tell where people went in through the slush.”
Hirsch said earlier this week she was pondering what costume to wear.
“My friends are going to be angels and are trying to talk me into doing that too, so we’ll see,” she said.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
