Costumed crowds plunge into 57-degree surf during the 46th annual New Year’s Day tradition
Rainy skies didn’t dampen the spirit of thousands of folks who turned out for the 46th Annual Carlin Soulé Polar Bear Dip in Cayucos on New Year’s Day. As is custom, the day started early as dippers trickled onto Cayucos Beach, many wearing crazy costumes and toasting the start of 2026 before the noon dip into the 57-degree Pacific Ocean.
Dozens of lifeguards and paramedics with Cal Fire and the Morro Bay Fire Department patrolled the beach and water just past the breakers to make sure everyone who went into the water came out again, safe if not entirely sound.
Prizes were awarded during the pre-dip costume contest. The oldest dipper was an 85-year-old fellow and the youngest was a 17-month-old baby. A woman from Austria earned the award for traveling the farthest to be there and a group of Loraxes from Dr. Seuss took the prize for best costumed group. The best individual costume was a young man wearing a frizzy pink wig and Speedo, and nothing else. The most creative was a family of Chicago Bears fanatics and a family that has been attending in coordinated costumes for the past 16 years got a special award.
Hundreds of people lined the Cayucos Pier5 to watch an estimated 3,000-plus Polar Bear Dippers rush the waves to wash away 2025 and welcome in 2026.
