BIRCH BAY — Thousands of community members from across the region, and some from across the country, crowded the Birch Bay waterfront on New Year’s Day to take part in a potentially world record-breaking polar bear dip.
At around 12:30 p.m., the bay was filled with people dancing and hugging each other as they tried to stay warm until getting the OK to leave the water.
For 43 years, a polar plunge has taken place on New Year’s Day at the Birch Bay waterfront. In 2025, 1,600 people participated.
In February, the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce announced its intention to beat the Guinness World Record for the largest polar bear dip, a record which at the time was held by a group in Most, Czech Republic, with 2,461 participants.
But on Dec. 13, 2025, a group at Ølberg Beach in Sola, Norway broke the record with 3,134 participants. That upped the pressure for Birch Bay.
“It’s time to show Norway how Birch Bay does winter — with heart, hype and a whole lot of community spirit,” the chamber wrote in a press release just after the news from Norway.
Gallery: New Year’s Day 2026 polar bear dip in Birch Bay
More than 4,910 people picked up participant bibs in Birch Bay this morning, according to Pacific Multisports, which tracked some of the data for the event. That’s well above the number needed, but it’s still unclear whether the effort actually broke the record. Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce wrote in a Facebook post on Friday, Jan. 2 that staff are working to provide additional documentation to Guinness World Records to see if the record can be verified.
Guinness World Records has strict guidelines: participants had to wear a swimsuit and shoes, enter the water when directed, remain waist-deep for 60 seconds and then exit the water when directed. No costumes, wetsuits, drysuits or shirts were allowed. Participants were counted by passing over a timing mat at the edge of the beach. Their bibs contained an RFID chip.
At 11:30 a.m., participants started moving into the beach area, skipping rocks and removing clothing as they waited for the police siren — their signal to run into the water — to go off.
An hour later, the siren hadn’t sounded. A cheer of “let’s go swimming” emerged from the crowd. But a few minutes later, off they went.
Nancy Fisher of Ferndale reacts as a friend helps her fully submerge. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)
The idea of being part of a world record was exciting to participants.
“My life goal since I was a kid was to have a Guinness World Record, so hopefully we get this,” said Pidge Pasquale, 26, from Kingston, Kitsap County.
A New Year’s Day polar plunge is a tradition for Parker Dante, a 27-year-old from Bellevue who has done one every year since age 5.
“This is the biggest one I’ve ever done,” Dante said. “This was huge.”
Jacob Whiting, from Blaine, was shivering as he stood on the shore after the dip. He’s swam in Birch Bay many times, but this time it was “really cold,” he said, but he was “loving it.”
News on whether the attempt broke the world record should be released soon. Check back for updates.
Kinley Ebbesen, 13, Kyla Garcia, 13, and Teagan Lutjemeier, 14, wait to be the last ones out of the water. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)
Charlotte Alden is CDN’s general assignment/enterprise reporter; reach her at [email protected]; 360-922-3090 ext. 123.
