Annual New Year's Dip Sets the Trend for the Coming Year
Rewritten Article:
Swimmers donned fancy attire and braved the cold yesterday at a New Year's Eve dip in Nauthólsvík, Reykjavik. Over a hundred brave souls indulged in this icy tradition.
Herdís Anna Þorvaldsdóttir, chair of the Reykjavik Sea Swimming Association (SJÓR), beamed, "We hadn't done this since 2020, so it was infectiously joyful."
The New Year's Day plunge differs from other swims due to the festive, glamorous outfits. mbl.is/Arnþór
Deep Freeze
Þorvaldsdóttir noted that this year's deep chill was reminiscent of the chilly 2018, when Reykjavik hit a record low -2.2°C. The unusual ice thickness added to the unique allure of this year's event.
esterday's frosty temperatures and thick ice didn't deter participants but safety measures were crucial. mbl.is/Arnþór
Fancy Diving
Despite the cold, many swimmers embraced the evening in their finest clothes, and Þorvaldsdóttir herself wore a shimmering sequined gown. Partygoers even formed themed groups. She endorsed the sequined number for survival in the cold.
Tackling the icy waters at the start of the year, why not go all out in style? mbl.is/Arnþór
Þorvaldsdóttir believes sea swimming on New Year's Day uplifts your spirits for the entire year.
"When you face such challenges, the ordinary obstacles feel like a piece of cake. The extraordinary elation and happiness this brings make starting the year with a swim worthwhile," she shared.
New Year's Day swimmers in Reykjavik, 2023. mbl.is/Arnþór
Iceland doesn't have a specific New Year's Day sea swim tradition, but it does have festivals and events where attendees often wear thematic clothing. Winter weather in Reykjavik varies, with average temperatures in January around 0°C to 4°C.Sea ice isn't typically found around Reykjavik in January, but geothermal pools might be a more feasible option for winter swimmers. For instance, Nautholsvik Beach offers a heated geothermal lagoon during winter.[5]
- The New Year's Eve dip in Nauthólsvík, Reykjavik, saw over a hundred participants swims bravely in the cold, despite the deep freeze reminiscent of the chilly 2018, with temperatures and ice thickness adding to the event's unique allure.
- Herdís Anna Þorvaldsdóttir, chair of the Reykjavik Sea Swimming Association, endorsed the sequined number for survival in the cold, as many swimmers swims in their finest clothes, even forming themed groups, making the fancy diving a standout feature.
- Despite the icy waters, tackling the New Year's Day plunge in style seems to be a lifestyle choice for some, uplifting spirits for the entire year, as Þorvaldsdóttir believes.
- Iceland doesn't have a specific New Year's Day sea swim tradition, but it does have festivals and events where attendees often wear thematic clothing. Outdoor-living enthusiasts might even find heated geothermal lagoons like Nautholsvik Beach a more feasible option for winter swims, especially when the weather in Reykjavik in January tends to have average temperatures between 0°C to 4°C, with sea ice not typically present.
- As we looked forward to the news and outdoor-living events in 2023, let's remember the home-and-garden tip for those who dare to venture into the icy waters during winter's deep chill—embrace the extraordinary elation and happiness that comes with such challenges, making starting the year with a swim truly worthwhile.
