Despite a valiant effort that drew thousands of frigid participants – and even more cozy onlookers – Birch Bay’s attempt to break the Guinness World Record for largest polar bear dip was unsuccessful, according to the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce.
Guinness informed the chamber that two technicalities kept the record from being officially broken: non-participants in the plunge zone and some participants not being fully submerged for the entire duration of the dip, the chamber announced on January 14.
In order to break the Guinness World Record for largest polar bear dip, Guinness laid out specific requirements for both participants and onlookers. Those plunging into Birch Bay had to go waist deep, and remain waist deep, for at least one minute simultaneously. Those watching were instructed to stay out of the water and nearby beach to avoid miscounts.
The number to beat was 3,134 participants after the record was set in Norway on December 13, 2025. While it is likely that there were enough participants to break the record, Guinness could not verify the exact number due to non-participants being in the designated plunge zone at the beginning of the attempt, according to the chamber.
The chamber attempted to provide additional documentation to Guinness to help verify the attempt in the two weeks following the frigid plunge, but it was unsuccessful, according to social media posts.
The chamber said it was still happy to provide the Birch Bay community with a jolt of energy amidst the winter doldrums.
“Despite falling short of the official record, the event achieved its original and most important goal: bringing the Birch Bay community together in celebration while welcoming thousands of new visitors to the bay during the traditionally quiet off-season,” the chamber wrote.
