Thousands plunge into the sea at 40th Polar Bear Dip in Cayucos
Thousands of people rang in the new year Wednesday with a plunge into the Pacific Ocean at the 40th annual Carlin Soulé Memorial Polar Bear Dip in Cayucos.
The event on a bright, sunny day saw larger-than-average surf and people dressed in costumes that included sharks, polar bears and snowmen.
While some dippers jumped into the ocean and quickly retreated to sandy shores for warmth, about a quarter of the mass lingered in the water a bit longer, braving the elements for a few minutes. Numerous water rescue officials were on hand in case of emergency.
Cayucos resident Steven Tapper called the experience “an adrenaline rush.”
“And when I come out, I go back in. And then I come out, and I go back in again. Three times,” he said.
“It’s cold! Freezing!” his wife Christina Tapper added.
The water temperatures in Cayucos ranged between 55 and 57 degrees, according to surfline.com.
Polar plunge events took place at Avila Beach and Pismo Beach as well on Wednesday.
This story was originally published January 1, 2020 at 1:47 PM.
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