Just weeks before Birch Bay will attempt to set the Guinness World Record for the largest polar bear dip, the number to beat was raised by a group of frigid record-breakers in Norway on December 13.
The number to beat jumped up from 2,461 – set in March 2025 by icy swimmers from the Czech Republic – to 3,134 plungers.
Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce, the organizers for the record-breaking attempt set for New Year’s Day, 2026 along the Birch Bay berm, said the new record isn’t discouraging, but a welcome challenge.
“Sure, the bar has been raised – but that only makes the challenge more exciting,” the chamber wrote in a December 16 press release. “Birch Bay isn’t aiming for ‘pretty good,’ the goal is legendary! It’s time to show Norway how Birch Bay does winter.”
So far, 1,474 people have registered for the Birch Bay Polar Bear Plunge, according to the chamber.
In order to be officially recognized by Guinness World Records, rules for this year’s icy dip had to change.
This time, all participants must wear bathing suits. That means no festive costumes, no wetsuits and no dry suits. All participants will be directed to enter the water at a specific time and stand waist deep for 60 seconds. After the exhilarating minute is up, all participants must exit the water simultaneously.
The Birch Bay chamber is also focusing on protecting the plants that support the Birch Bay berm and is asking participants to be mindful of where they step before taking the plunge. With the potential of more than 3,000 people walking onto a specific point along the berm, the native plants that stabilize the berm, reduce sand loss and provide essential wildlife habitat run the risk of being trampled.
People are encouraged to volunteer who don’t want to dip into the frigid waters but still want to help their community set a Guinness World Record.
The chamber said it needs about 150 volunteers to set up and break down the event on December 31 and January 1, help with registration and other tasks on the day of the event. The volunteers may also be event stewards, officially observing groups of 100 participants and acting as an event “referee” for the on-site official Guinness World Records representative.
For more information on how to register to volunteer, visit birchbaychamber.com/volunteer.
Registration for the polar plunge is open online at bit.ly/4pKNuUT. While early registration is encouraged, day-of registration will be available starting at 8 a.m. on New Year’s Day.
