Did Birch Bay polar bear dip set new world record? Here’s what Guinness says
Did a Whatcom County community break a polar bear plunge world record?
Thousands of people gathered in Blaine on New Year’s Day for the Birch Bay Polar Bear Dip, braving the icy waters of Birch Bay in hopes of earning a place in the record books.
According to Pacific Multisports, the race results website used by the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce, a total of 4,917 “participants with bibs” took part in the official Guiness World Records attempt.
As of December 2025, the world record for largest polar bear dip — 3,134 people — was held by a community in Norway, according to the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce.
How did the Birch Bay Polar Bear Dip fare in its Jan. 1 attempt? Here’s what to know:
Blaine polar bear plunge draws thousands
Thousands of people ranging from toddlers to seniors took the plunge in Birch Bay on Thursday, Jan. 1.
Shouts of excitement turned to cries of agony around 12:30 p.m. as the swimsuit-clad participants ventured into the chilly waters and stood there.
“I wanted to help put Birch Bay on the map and help with this Guinness World attempt,” polar bear plunge participant Amanda Sova told The Herald at the time.
“What’s a better way to start off the new year than all together, really cold?” another participant, Guy Occhiogrosso, said.
“Having the Guinness World Records brand associated with this event brings global recognition and credibility, emphasizing the significance of the attempt and the achievement itself,” the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce said in a February news release, noting that Guinness is “synonymous with extraordinary accomplishments.”
What rules did participants have to follow?
According to the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce, these were the rules set by Guinness World Records that polar bear plunge participants had to follow.
- Wear a swimming suit and shoes
- No costumes, wetsuits or drysuits
- Enter the water when directed
- Remain waist-deep in the water for 60 seconds
- Exit the water when directed
Did Birch Bay Polar Bear Dip break a world record?
Kylie Galloway at Guinness World Records told The Bellingham Herald that the Birch Bay Polar Bear Dip’s attempt to break the world record for largest polar bear dip was unsuccessful.
However, it wasn’t clear as of Tuesday, Jan. 13, why the attempt failed.
“Each Guinness World Records attempt is reviewed carefully by our on-site adjudicators and/or our record experts,” Galloway wrote in an email to The Herald. “Guidelines for the record are shared in advance, and what is required varies based on the record being attempted.”
Sacha Sanguinetti, the Birch Bay Chamber’s event coordinator, said he had not heard from the Guinness World Records since the attempt, despite having reached out to the event’s adjudicator several times.
As of Tuesday, there was no official timeline for when that clarification will come, according to Sanguinetti.
This story was originally published January 13, 2026 at 1:45 PM.