For 25 years, brave revelers have gathered at the Huntington Beach Pier on New Year’s Day to wash off the old and welcome the new.
The famed Surf City Splash is celebrating its silver anniversary, a time-honored tradition where plungers do a countdown at noon, then rush into the chilly ocean for a body-numbing ocean cleanse to set the stage for the new year.
The event has had its ups and downs through the years – it’s been canceled by rain, high surf, the pandemic and an oil spill that worried organizers – but early forecasts are calling for mild and pleasant conditions, with temps at the beach reaching 70 degrees on New Year’s Day.
Louise Vandertuuk makes a splash during Surf City’s annual event of plunging into the ocean to celebrate the new year on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)“We’re looking like we’re going to have fantastic weather for this one. Forecasters are predicting a beautiful day for New Year’s Day,” said Peter “PT” Townend, the event’s master of ceremonies. “It’s a great way to splash to wake you up for the new year.”
But don’t let the air temps fool you, the water is clocking in the mid-50s.
The event started when a group of college students, on a dare, jumped into the ocean on New Year’s Day. Longtime Huntington Beach swimmer Lee Love took notice and asked if she could turn it into an official event.
Early years drew a hundred people, then 200. More and more came until it became a must-do event on New Year’s Day. It is now considered one of the biggest in Southern California.
Upward of 1,000 people show up either to jump in the ocean – screeching at the shock of the chilly saltwater – or watch from the sand or pier.
A similar big dip is held in San Pedro, a gathering put on by the Cabrillo Beach Polar Bears that dates back to 1953.
The Huntington Beach version was originally dubbed the “Huntington Beach Pier Plaza Plunge,” but when the Huntington Beach Host Lions Club began sponsoring the event, they renamed it the Surf City Splash.
It has supported many organizations through the years, including the Surf City Rotary and the Surfrider Foundation, and this year will benefit the International Huntington Beach Surfing Museum, which is taking over the event organizing.
“It’s gone through its iterations through the years,” said Townend, executive director of the surf museum.
Many of the revelers come decked out in crazy costumes: pirates, mermaids and festive New Year’s decor to bring a fun vibe to the event.
Miss Huntington Beach and her royal court will judge a costume contest and mermaids will be floating around for photo ops.
Six prizes for costumes will be awarded at 11:30 a.m. near Zack’s By the Beach: Best Group, Best Sea Creature, Oldest in Costume, Youngest in Costume, Best Hat, and Best 2025 New Year’s Costume.
The event is free. There’s a vendor market with artesian goods available for purchase, with a portion of proceeds going back to the museum.
Added this year is a breakfast burritos and Bloody Marys combo deal for $15 and music performances at Zack’s By the Beach, a place to gather and soak in the sun after the chilly adventure.
Certificates of Participation – “Success” for those who take the splash or “Sanity” for those who watch from dry land – cost $5. Memberships to the museum will also be available for purchase, as well as 2025 SPLASH attire, with all proceeds benefiting the International Surfing Museum.
For more information, go to hbsurfcitysplash.com.
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