PORT ANGELES – The traditional New Year’s Day “Polar Bear Dip,” which marks its 20th edition this year, is set for 10 a.m. Tuesday at Hollywood Beach.
“It’s on, absolutely,” said Dan Welden, one of the event’s longtime participants who also helps present certificates to those who brave the chilly waters of Port Angeles Harbor in January.
Conditions are looking ideal for the annual event.
“There are no big seaweed or sewage buildup as in the past, and no dangerous logs,” Welden said.
“That can get pretty hairy sometimes.
“I think this will be a very good year.”
Welden said a group usually gathers at Hollywood Beach at about 9:30 a.m. to break a sweat first by jogging down the Waterfront Trail.
The dip itself – with all participants lining up and heading into the water – starts 30 minutes later.
“They can go as many times as they want, but they don’t have to go in three times to get a certificate,” he said.
Welden and others print certificates for participants “but otherwise the event takes care of itself,” without formal organization or sponsorship.
While some take care of issuing certificates, others assemble firewood for warm-up blazes and make sure there’s hot chocolate and coffee, he said.
The event was started by the Olympic Peninsula Runners Club.
The Olympic Peninsula Sports Club took it over for awhile.
Since that group dissolved, people just do it, Welden said.
“It’s just something that happens,” he said.
The cold-water plunge has in the past drawn about 100 people ranging in age from 4-year-olds to 70-year-olds – with an equal number of observers.
