The tradition started with a few college friends jumping into the Pacific Ocean on a dare, but these days hundreds show up for the noon countdown leading up to the toe-numbing plunge.
A group of costumed women plunge into the Pacific to celebrate the new year during the annual Surf City Splash in Huntington Beach on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. The group decided to dress like crayons to signify that everyone on the planet is unique, they said. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Laura Aydelotte of Huntington Beach wears festive glasses while taking part in the annual Surf City Splash in Huntington Beach on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Artist Melissa Murals takes celebrates thhe new year with her dog, Lucy, during the annual Surf City Splash in Huntington Beach on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dozens of New Year’s Day celebrants get ready to take the plunge into the chilly Pacific during the annual Surf City Splash in Huntington Beach on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dozens of New Year’s Day celebrants gun it into the chilly Pacific during the annual Surf City Splash in Huntington Beach on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Alison Walsh and her fiance Michael Arens were late to the annual Surf City Splash but took their own plunge in Huntington Beach on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. The couple will be getting married this year. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A group of costumed women plunge into the Pacific to celebrate the new year during the annual Surf City Splash in Huntington Beach on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. The group decided to dress like crayons to signify that everyone on the planet is unique, they said. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Lee “Love” Ghione, a founder of the Surf City Splash, celebrates the new year with dozens of others during the annual plunge on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Artist Melissa Murals takes celebrates thhe new year with her dog, Lucy, during the annual Surf City Splash in Huntington Beach on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dressed as a yellow crayon, Jennifer Smith gets a New Year’s Day hug at the annual Surf City Splash in Huntington Beach on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dozens of New Year’s Day take the plunge into the chilly Pacific during the annual Surf City Splash in Huntington Beach on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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A group of costumed women plunge into the Pacific to celebrate the new year during the annual Surf City Splash in Huntington Beach on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. The group decided to dress like crayons to signify that everyone on the planet is unique, they said. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Some came decked out in costumes, others in swimwear as they either rushed into the water for the cold shock, with temps in the high 50s, or walked gingerly into the frigid shallows.
Spectators who opted to stay dry watched and snapped photos from the sand and the pier.
The swell size dropped just in time for the festivities after offering bigger waves earlier in the holidays.
The event benefited the International Huntington Beach Surfing Museum.
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