Jump into the new year with both feet! Every January 1st at 12 noon, hundreds of people line up along the beach at Matthews Beach Park for the first dunk in the lake of the new year. We provide lifeguards at this FREE event, so come earn your courage badge (for those who get in up to their necks).
Matthews Beach Park is located at 5100 NE 93rd St, just off Sand Point Way NE.
We strongly recommend swimming only under the supervision of a trained lifeguard.
Swimming in open water carries inherent risk of waterborne bacteria. Lake water is not tested regularly in the winter. Please swim at your own risk.
For more information, call Meadowbrook Pool at 206-684-4989.
Watch a short video of a previous Plunge here!
Seattle Parks and Recreation offers a few tips for enjoying a fun, safe swim:
- 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.
The Polar Bear Plunge was the first official event of its kind in the Seattle area and has inspired other, similar events throughout the region. Janet Wilson, Aquatic Center Coordinator at Meadowbrook Pool, started the event on Jan. 1, 2003. About 300 people participated in that first Polar Bear Plunge, and since then the attendance has soared to more than 1,900 brave bears.
