What is the New Year’s Dive?

The New Year’s Dive, known as Nieuwjaarsduik in Dutch, is a popular tradition celebrated annually on January 1st in the Netherlands, where thousands of people dive into icy waters to welcome the new year. The most famous and largest New Year’s Dive takes place at Scheveningen Beach, near The Hague, attracting over 10,000 participants each year. However, similar events are held at various lakes, rivers, and coastal areas across the country, as well as in other parts of the world, often under the umbrella of a Polar Bear Plunge.

This invigorating plunge symbolizes a fresh start to the year, with participants braving the cold to cleanse the past year’s struggles and dive into the new year with energy and positivity.

History and Origin

The tradition of the New Year’s Dive in the Netherlands began in 1960, organized by a swimming club in Zandvoort, a coastal town. The event quickly gained popularity, and by 1965, the tradition had moved to Scheveningen Beach, where it became a nationally recognized celebration. The event is sponsored by the Dutch food company Unox, which provides participants with iconic orange winter hats and warm pea soup after the dive, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Though the Dutch version is the most famous, New Year’s Day swims or “polar bear plunges” are also popular in countries like Canada, the United States, and the UK. The concept of diving into cold water on the first day of the year has since become an international symbol of renewal and fresh beginnings.

Who Celebrates the New Year’s Dive?

• Dutch Citizens: Thousands of Dutch people participate in the dive, often gathering at beaches and lakes across the country to mark the new year with a brisk plunge into cold water.
• International Participants: Many tourists and expats join in the dive, especially at the large event in Scheveningen. Other countries host similar events, often as part of polar bear plunge traditions.
• Communities: Local communities in towns and cities with access to water organize smaller dives, creating a fun, social atmosphere.
• Fitness and Adventure Enthusiasts: For many, the challenge of diving into icy waters is an exciting, adrenaline-filled way to kickstart their year.
• Charity Supporters: In some countries, New Year’s Day dives are organized as fundraising events for charitable causes, adding a philanthropic dimension to the tradition.

Slogans and Themes

The New Year’s Dive emphasizes themes of renewal, adventure, and togetherness. Slogans like “Start the Year Fresh!” and “Dive into the New Year” encapsulate the spirit of the event. Participants celebrate the cleansing power of the cold water, while sharing the experience with friends, family, and the wider community.

Colors, Symbols, and Patterns

• Colors:
  • Orange, representing Dutch national pride and the iconic Unox winter hats worn by participants at the Scheveningen dive.
  • Blue, symbolizing the cold water and the fresh start associated with the dive.
  • White, representing the crisp, chilly winter season and the new beginnings that come with the New Year.
• Symbols:
  • Waves and water splashes, representing the dive into the icy waters of the North Sea or other bodies of water.
  • Unox hat, the iconic orange winter hat provided by the event’s sponsor, symbolizing warmth and Dutch tradition.
  • Thermometer, symbolizing the cold temperature of the water, adding to the challenge and excitement of the event.
• Patterns:
  • Wave motifs, reflecting the ocean’s tides and the dive itself.
  • Snowflake patterns, symbolizing the winter season and the icy conditions participants brave during the dive.
  • Circular ripples, symbolizing the splash and energy participants bring to the event.

Most Used Hashtags

• #Nieuwjaarsduik
• #NewYearsDive
• #PolarBearPlunge
• #DiveIntoTheNewYear
• #UnoxNieuwjaarsduik

How to Celebrate the New Year’s Dive

• Join a Local Dive: Participate in an organized New Year’s Dive event, such as the one at Scheveningen Beach, or join a smaller local dive at a nearby lake, river, or beach.
• Wear the Iconic Unox Hat: If diving in the Netherlands, grab an iconic orange Unox hat to stay warm before and after the dive, and enjoy some warm pea soup afterward to complete the tradition.
• Host Your Own Dive: If no official event is nearby, gather friends and family for your own New Year’s Dive at a safe location, and make it a fun group tradition.
• Donate to a Charity: Many New Year’s Day dives are connected to fundraising efforts for charities. If participating in such an event, raise awareness and funds for a good cause while celebrating the new year.
• Watch and Cheer: If you’re not ready to take the plunge yourself, head to the beach or a lake to watch others participate, and cheer them on from the sidelines.
• Capture and Share the Experience: Document your experience with photos or videos and share the fun on social media using the event’s hashtags.

Why is the New Year’s Dive Important?

The New Year’s Dive is an exhilarating way to start the year with a sense of adventure, community, and renewal. For participants, braving the cold waters symbolizes washing away the past and facing the future with optimism and energy. The event fosters a sense of togetherness, as friends, families, and strangers come together to take part in a shared, joyous experience.

In the Netherlands, the New Year’s Dive has become a beloved tradition that combines fun with national pride, while similar events around the world offer participants a thrilling and refreshing start to the year. Whether it’s for the adrenaline rush, the sense of accomplishment, or simply to create lasting memories, the New Year’s Dive is an invigorating way to kick off the year.