MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Hundreds participate in Polar Bear Plunge at Alki Beach to kick off the new year

Jan 2, 2023, 7:25 AM | Updated: 7:55 am

Photo from KIRO 7...

Photo from KIRO 7

Hundreds of people got a brisk start to 2023 as they participated in the annual Alki Polar Bear Plunge on New Year’s Day.

At the event, participants jumped into the chilly waters at Alki Beach to wash off the old and bring in the new for a fresh start to the year.

Follow this link to read additional stories from KIRO

“I think we started in 2016 … then we recruited our nephew, and then my husband, so now we’re a whole gang coming out every year,” said Christel Lafollette. “I love it; it’s so much fun.”

It was Rafael Higuera’s first time attending — he didn’t learn about the event until the night before but says it was a great way for him to start off the year and try something new.

“I wasn’t expecting to see this many people … it was very energetic to see everyone jump in at the same time,” said Higuera.

It was just one of many polar plunges held across the country and the world to kick off the new year.

Follow this link to read additional stories from KIRO

MyNorthwest News

A helicopter rescue team saved a climber stranded at 7,900 feet in the Washington Cascades. (Photo:...

Tom Brock

From ledge to legacy: Stranded climber donates $10,000 to rescue crew

A man stranded on a rocky spire in the Washington Cascades for 18 hours is so thankful to the helicopter crew that saved his life that he donated $10,000 to their rescue organization.

14 hours ago

Cedar River asphalt plant...

Frank Lenzi

King County buys Cedar River property for $14M, ending decade-long asphalt plant fight

King County has purchased the Cedar River property at the center of a nearly decade-long fight over a proposed asphalt plant, paying $14 million — $2.7 million below its appraised value — for land that could become a crown jewel of the county's park system.

20 hours ago

Kristina Liutova faces Zheng Qinwen at the US Open on Monday August 31, 2026....

Frank Lenzi

Rising star vs. comeback queen: Redmond’s Kristina Liutova, 16, takes on Olympic Gold Medalist Zheng Qinwen at the US Open

Redmond's Kristina Liutova, 16, continues her long journey to the top of women's tennis Monday when she plays her first main draw match at a Grand Slam tournament at the 2026 US Open.

20 hours ago

ring amazon driver...

Jason Sloss, KIRO 7 News

Ring video shows Amazon driver trying to open front door during late-night delivery

A King County woman said she is cutting out late-night home deliveries after an Amazon driver tried opening her front door.

2 days ago

fire auto repair shop seattle...

Elle Thomas, KIRO 7 News

Seattle police search for man accused of setting fire inside community DIY auto repair shop

Seattle police are asking for the public’s help identifying a man accused of setting a fire inside a Seattle auto repair shop, causing an estimated $250,000 in damage.

2 days ago

weekend traffic I-405 DuPont...

Paola Tristan Arruda, KIRO 7 News

Weekend traffic: prepare for delays on I-405 near Kirkland, I-5 near Dupont

Drivers heading out this weekend should prepare for delays as construction projects affect both I-405 in Kirkland and I-5 near DuPont.

2 days ago

Hundreds participate in Polar Bear Plunge at Alki Beach to kick off the new year