Unbearably cold beginning

150 swimmers briefly plunged into the high tide waters of Double Bluff Beach in Freeland on Jan. 1.

January 2, 2026 1:30 am
(Photo by David Welton) Kustaa Mansfield got into the spirit by donning a polar bear suit. While some only stayed in the water for about 10 seconds, he lingered and enjoyed the icy atmosphere.
(Photo by David Welton) Kustaa Mansfield got into the spirit by donning a polar bear suit. While some only stayed in the water for about 10 seconds, he lingered and enjoyed the icy atmosphere.

In what may be the shortest Polar Bear Dive in history, swimmers briefly plunged into the high tide waters of Double Bluff Beach in Freeland on New Year’s Day. Around 150 people showed up for the event. Kustaa Mansfield got into the spirit by donning a polar bear suit. While some only stayed in the water for about 10 seconds, he lingered and enjoyed the icy atmosphere.

A previous version of this article misspelled Mansfield’s name. We regret the error.

(Photo by David Welton) Swimmers rejoiced in the icy high tide waters of Double Bluff Beach in Freeland on New Year’s Day.

(Photo by David Welton) Swimmers rejoiced in the icy high tide waters of Double Bluff Beach in Freeland on New Year’s Day.