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There were several new year’s plunges around Ballard on New Year’s Day.
The first, sponsored by the Lock and Keel, took place at Golden Gardens at 10:00 a.m. with a couple dozen brave participants.

It was an extraordinarily brief event, lasting 40 seconds at most amid shouts of WOO! and Oh My God!
Some followed the "requirement" of a full head-immersing plunge, while others opted for half a dip.

Kristin Faith Michelle and Michael Donovan had not only made the commitment to get cold and wet on New Years Day, they also ended their plunge the right way - with a big kiss.

The VanHollebeke family took the last plunge at Golden Gardens with over a dozen family members and relatives. The VanHollebeke family said they actually started this tradition decades ago.

"I started this 27 years ago with my brother in law Mike Maxwell when I was in college at the U, so I've done it every year,” said realtor Leo VanHollebeke.

The clan leapt into the water and surprisingly several of them went back for a double or triple dip.

At the Elks Lodge on Seaview Ave, participants plunged for charity raising up to $750 in pledges each.
“If you’re going to do it, you have to do it in style” said Harold Sigurdson, scantily clad in a white tuxedo jacket, red bow-tie, spandex and a fuzzy thong.

Sigardson, the oldest of the bunch, raised $750 for Elks Charities.

Dan Hearing was persuaded by Ballard QFC co-workers to take the plunge and showed up with just under $200 in pledges. He prepared for the plunge by growing a beard and drinking “lots of beer” the previous night.

Grims Gislason raised $305 in pledges and took the plunge to save face.
“I’m the exalted ruler next year and if I didn’t do it, I would hear about it all year,” he said.

Nine men and one dog participated in the pledge and one man even went for a bit of a swim before returning to the Lodge for hot drinks, a potluck and football.