Video: West Seattle’s 2012 Polar Bear Swim on Alki … plus one

| Fun stuff to do | Holidays | West Seattle news

Here’s one good sign for the year ahead: The hale and hardy of West Seattle, White Center, and environs were graced with sunshine for the second consecutive New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim on Alki (after two preceding years under cloud cover). Of course, as evidenced on the beach this morning, it’s not the weather – it’s more about the chance to, shall we say, chill with friends – like this group identifying themselves as the “Dunkins“:

And this one, the “Libres“:

Then there was the pirate, and friend …

No costume for organizer Mark Ufkes, just a big smile:

And as the crowd (biggest one we’ve ever seen!) lined the beach, ready to run into Puget Sound, one guy went first – everybody else counted down, and ran in, shortly thereafter:

(added) And from the WSB Flickr group pool, Henrik‘s really-close-up view:

P.S. Turns out that wasn’t the only Polar Bear Swim today. Dave Meucci shared this video of his friends-and-family dip:

Though this year and last year had sunshine in common, the air temperatures were different – we noted it at “freezing” on New Year’s Day 2011, but at 10 am today, it was 48 degrees!

Molly January 1, 2012 (3:21 pm)

Thanks, Mark Ufkes, for organizing this great event, and thanks also to Duke’s for the warming chowder following the plunge. This was my first, but definitely not my last, New Years Day dip! A wonderful way to start the year. Thanks to all who made it so much fun!

chad January 1, 2012 (4:13 pm)

Wow that was fun.Lets do it every morning.

Restita January 1, 2012 (4:22 pm)

Many thanks to Mark Ufkes for putting this event together. This was my first plunge….after hearing of a few of my students talk about how fun it was last year, I wanted to try it this year. I definitely want to do this again next year! what a blast!

Michael Murphy January 1, 2012 (8:27 pm)

Leaving 2011 in the distance I woke up this morning realizing the only way to clear my head was to take a swim in the frigid waters of Puget Sound.
Happy New Years everyone. May all your dreams come true in 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crSEtxNWuYc

Marina January 1, 2012 (9:55 pm)

Great way to start the year :)
See y’all next year! And thanks for posting your video, Michael.

Geo January 2, 2012 (9:57 am)

I took a few photos of the Polar Bear Swimmers plunging in. A lot bigger turnout than I expected!

http://picasaweb.google.com/103228919785948257354/PolarBearSwim2012

Perry Sjogren January 2, 2012 (1:58 pm)

Here’s some great video from the Polar Bear Plunge yesterday! http://youtu.be/Ts_0JntZNRU

WSB January 2, 2012 (2:33 pm)

That’s the one on Lake Washington, not this one, but thanks! – TR

mark ufkes January 4, 2012 (9:59 am)

Thanks to the West Seattle Blog for covering the 2012 Seattle Alki Polar Bear swim. Over 200 went into the water and well over 100 watched from the beach. Last year, about 100 went into the water.
The world record for a Polar Bear Swim is 3,500 swimmers who all raised money for the Make a Wish Foundation in New York State. Alki beach has room for 3,501 swimmers.

Remember, a New Year’s Day Polar Bear swim is a great way to wash away the complexities of the previous year, and acknowledge the unlimited opportunities and potential that the new year brings to each of us.

Happy New Year everyone.

Mark Ufkes
White Center