Brave and young people are invited to take part in the polar bear swim on January 2nd by diving into the cool ocean before returning to Annenberg Beach House to take a dip in the warm pool and enjoy a well-deserved hot cocoa.
After a pandemic-caused hiatus in 2021, this family-friendly outdoor community event is back for the fourth time. The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., the first jump for the youth is to begin at 9:15 a.m.
“Swimming with polar bears is traditional in many places that are much colder than Southern California, but I’ve always loved the idea of getting people out of their comfort zone and remembering to use the beach and beach areas differently each year Round, ”said Beach Recreation Supervisor Heath Hamilton, who is organizing the event.
In fact, there is no need to cut a hole in the ice or have safety divers on deck in case attendees go into shock, as is common with some of the icy east coast versions of the event. Lifeguards and harbor patrols will be on the go, as will the event mascot Pat the Polar Bear.
“We have great support from the Los Angeles County Lifeguards and the Santa Monica Harbor Patrol, so people love to see the boats and jet skis when they come out,” said Hamilton. “Pat comes out and is very photogenic, children love to be photographed.”
Swimmers are challenged to swim 300 meters around a buoy in the sea, while the smallest swimmers are encouraged to just take a few paddles in the water. After diving, the warm water of the pool of the Annenberg Community Beach House awaits you, which is heated to a pleasant 93 degrees.
The event will also include a fundraiser for the city’s 100 Homes Initiative, which is a project to move 100 people from temporary housing in Santa Monica to permanent homes across Los Angeles. Therefore, in addition to bathing suits and towels, participants are asked to bring small kitchen and bathroom utensils such as sponges, dish soap or hand soap, paper towels and disinfectant wipes with them to the donation. For more information about the 100 HOMES initiative and ways to get involved, please contact [email protected].
Registration for the event is open at https://tinyurl.com/SMpolarbearswim and personal registration is possible on the day of the event, but limited. Everyone is cordially invited to take part.
“We got people involved, from young children under eight who have to take their adults into the water to people in their sixties, seventies and eighties who came out and went swimming,” said Hamilton.
While the Polar Bear Swim is set to kick off the New Year with a splash, the Beach Club is also offering plenty of other exciting activities in 2022. Hamilton said he is on the lookout for the return of community classes such as beach volleyball, yoga and synchronized swimming and visit www.annenbergbeachhouse.com for more information on upcoming events.
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