The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce is seeking help to put Birch Bay on the map as world record holder for the polar bear plunge.
The chamber has opened registration for its Birch Bay Polar Bear Plunge on January 1, 2026, when it will attempt to beat the Guinness World Records’ largest polar bear dip.
Chamber events coordinator Sacha Sanguinetti encouraged anyone wanting to make history to sign up early.
“We want an idea of how many people will be there,” Sanguinetti said.
The world record is currently frozen at 2,461 people who plunged into chilly waters in the Czech Republic in March. Sanguinetti hopes the community will rally together to beat that record as the New Year’s Day celebration in Birch Bay typically brings out about 1,500 to 1,800 people, though only about a third of those actually register.
Chamber coordinators hope to have early registration finished by Christmas Day. Day-of registration will be available
as long as there aren’t more than 5,000 early registrants. Additionally, attendees will be required to sign in the morning of the event for their plunge to count.
Early registration will be encouraged with prizes including a two-night stay at Semiahmoo Resort with a $200 resort credit. Registrants prior to Thanksgiving Day will be entered twice, while people who register between Thanksgiving and Christmas will be given one entry.
Sanguinetti said the idea for the record attempt came about two years ago, when Beach Cat Brewing owner Jake Gobeille realized the record was within reach. The chamber spent $38,500 to use the Guinness World Records’ marketing and licensing and to pay for a representative to certify the event.
Sanguinetti said the chamber will be regularly updating its social media and newsletter, the Birch Bay Buzz, with new information about the plunge.
For more information, visit the chamber’s website at bit.ly/3VyhINk.
