Thousands Converge on Birch Bay to Break Polar Bear Dip Record

On New Year’s Day, thousands of individuals gathered at Birch Bay for a polar bear dip, aiming to set a new world record. This festive event saw participants braving the cold waters, creating a significant community spectacle.

Record-Breaking Polar Bear Dip Attempt

Approximately 4,910 people collected participant bibs for the polar bear dip, according to data from Pacific Multisports. This number far exceeded the minimum needed for a record attempt, building excitement among locals and visitors alike.

History of the Polar Bear Dip

This New Year’s Day tradition in Birch Bay has been ongoing for 43 years, drawing community members and adventurers from various regions. In 2025, the event saw 1,600 participants.

• Previous record: 2,461 participants in Most, Czech Republic.
• New record: 3,134 participants in Ølberg Beach, Norway (December 2025).

Faced with the challenge from Norway, the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce expressed determination to showcase community spirit and enthusiasm. They announced the goal of surpassing the Norwegian record through a press release following the news from Ølberg Beach.

Event Details and Participant Guidelines

To qualify for the Guinness World Record, specific guidelines were enforced. Participants needed to:

• Wear swimsuits and shoes only.
• Enter the water upon signal.
• Remain waist-deep for 60 seconds.
• Exit the water when directed.

Participants were carefully tracked as they crossed a timing mat. Each bib contained an RFID chip for accurate counting. Participants expected a police siren to signal the plunge, although there was a slight delay before the exciting moment finally arrived.

Community Participation and Enthusiasm

Individuals of all ages joined the dip, expressing enthusiasm for the potential record. Pidge Pasquale, a 26-year-old participant, shared, “My life goal since I was a kid was to have a Guinness World Record, so hopefully we get this.”

For others like Parker Dante, 27, this was a long-standing tradition, stating, “This is the biggest one I’ve ever done.” Participants felt the chill but embraced the activity wholeheartedly, with many remarking on the thrill of being part of such a large group.

Awaiting Confirmation from Guinness

The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce is currently preparing additional documentation for Guinness World Records to validate the record attempt. Participants and spectators alike are eagerly awaiting news on whether they successfully broke the world record.

Stay tuned for updates from El-Balad regarding this exciting community event and its outcome!