West Seattle holidays: Alki Polar Bear Swim confirmed for New Year’s Day 2014

| Holidays | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(2013 Polar Bear Swim photo by Nick Adams for WSB)
Three people have asked about this in the past two days, so we sought out confirmation: Organizer Mark Ufkes says yes, the annual Polar Bear Swim at Alki is on again for 2014. Be at the beach across from Duke’s by 10 am – better yet, he says, “get there a little early” – on Wednesday, January 1st, 2014: “We go in the water at 10 sharp after a count down. Bring water shoes, towel, change of clothes. Hot chocolate and Duke’s clam chowder will be served. This is a great way to wash away the complexities of 2013 and welcome the unlimited possibilities of 2014.”

P.S. We’re adding this to the WSB Holiday Events/Info Guide, which always runs through New Year’s Eve/Day, so if you haven’t sent us your “welcome, 2014!” event yet, editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!

Lina December 22, 2013 (9:52 pm)

heading out of town for the holidays, so sad I will miss this! It was AMAZING and exhilarating last year. A highlight to my start of the year. A great feel of community, I recommend it!

Miranda December 23, 2013 (12:17 pm)

I think I can do it this year for the first time. Shivvvvvering forward to it!

mikael hardy December 23, 2013 (1:21 pm)

I am so doing this!! We moved here in July and this seems like the perfect way to start off 2014 in our new city!

Tess Morgan December 26, 2013 (6:53 pm)

I have just learned the vital vote by Boeing Machinists on 01 03 2014 appears to be absolutely and directly related to talk about permanent cuts to bus service for West Seattle. There must be another way. I would walk more that the mile I walk with recent cuts to show my support for keeping Boeing in our Region. The issues and promises about this require citizenship to help address, please do what you can to prevent an avoidable bad outcome for everyone.

Please do something, this is a huge and important issue to our collective quality of life.

WSB December 26, 2013 (7:08 pm)

Hi – neither Boeing nor buses have anything to do with this story. But certainly it’s been said that Boeing is less inclined to hang around someplace with subpar transportation. Can you elaborate on what exactly you mean?

Tess Morgan December 27, 2013 (12:15 pm)

The vote is what Metro is counting on to make funds available to solve bus problem and part of negotiation matters between State and Boeing. At a distance it seems the vote and the transportation package are related and the goal is to eliminate the Union.
This is not new news, I wish the new home real estate taxes could be used instead of the situation and concerns of long term quality of life for many vs just a few.
Thanks for whatever you can do to raise awareness.

Cold waters ahead, yes my comment did not relate to brave swimmer story, will do better next time.

Rob December 31, 2013 (1:39 pm)

There is a HUGE boeing plant in west seattle.

Also, the Sonics game tonight is sold out.

Ben January 1, 2014 (8:02 am)

Waaahooo! Getting packed up now, will be there at 9:45 for my second annual plunge. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Mark Ufkes January 1, 2014 (4:01 pm)

Thanks everyone for attending. About 500 Polar Bear plungers went into the water, biggest turn out yet. Duke from Dukes Restaurant was there serving free chowder to the crowd. Thanks Duke, for your generosity. I am sorry that we did not have hot chocolate today. On my way down there, the 2 gallons of hot chocolate spilled inside my van. It sure smells great!! But what a mess. We shall see what it smells like tomorrow. At least it wasn’t chili. Maybe next year, someone else could volunteer to safely bring two gallons of hot chocolate and cups, since, clearly, it is a task beyond my ability.

Happy New Year everyone. And don’t forget; the grass is greener on your side of the fence. We all won the lottery that really matters.

Mark Ufkes
White Center

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