Annual New Year's Dip Sets Year's Mood
Braving the frosty weather in style, over a hundred brave souls dived into the icy waters of Nauthólsvík on New Year's Eve, marking the revival of this exhilarating tradition that had been on hold since 2020 due to the pandemic.
"It was bloody freezing, but it was worth every shiver!" proclaimed Herdís Anna Þorvaldsdóttir, chairperson of SJÓR, the Reykjavik Sea Swimming Association. The icy plunge, different from other swims of the year, has become a unique way for Icelanders to ring in the New Year, complete with fancy attire to celebrate the occasion. [1]
This uncommon tradition did not escape the unusual weather conditions, as Iceland experienced record cold temperatures of -2.2°C on New Year's Day. The thick ice layer formed over the water made the swim an extra challenge this year but added to the unique charm of the event. [5]
Despite the bone-chilling cold, Þorvaldsdóttir, adorned in a sequined gown, wasted no time diving into the icy water. Many others also chose to wear their finest outfits, creating a colorful spectacle against the wintery backdrop. Ísland doesn't have a tradition similar to the Buckingham Palace New Year's Day swim, but Icelanders seem to have found their unique spin on it, proving that even in the face of frigid temperatures, style doesn't have to take a back seat.
"Swimming on New Year's Day sets the tone for the rest of the year. After defying the laws of nature and enduring such a invigorating experience, facing other challenges throughout the year becomes far less daunting," said Þorvaldsdóttir. "That's why starting the year with this swim is so damn amazing!" [5]
Reykjavik's New Year's Day swim might not be as popular or traditional as visiting geothermal pools like Laugardalslaug and Sundhöllin, which are frequented by locals year-round. These geothermal pools offer a more laid-back and local experience compared to the likes of the Sky Lagoon or Blue Lagoon. However, the New Year's Day swim in fancy attire provides a unique, thrilling experience that is surely here to stay in Reykjavik.
Photo: The group of participants in the New Year's Day swim 2023 (mbl.is/Arnþór)
- The New Year's Day swim in Reykjavik, despite the chilling weather and record low temperatures, continues to attract hundreds, with participants donning their finest attire for the unique event in 2023.
- The style and devotion of Icelanders to outdoor-living are evident even in the face of frosty conditions, as seen during the New Year's Day swim, where people swam in a range of colorful and extravagant outfits.
- Braving the cold waters of Nauthólsvík on New Year's Day 2023, Herdís Anna Þorvaldsdóttir, adorned in a sequined gown, plunged into the icy water, symbolizing nature's resistance as the starting point for a lifestyle filled with challenge and resilience.
- After the success of the New Year's Day swim in 2023, Reykjavik might soon rival other places famous for their outdoor-living events and home-and-garden lifestyle, like Buckingham Palace or popular geothermal pools, as a must-visit destination.
- The unique combination of a traditional Icelandic event, fancy attire, and frigid temperatures creates a thrilling and invigorating experience for new and returning participants, making the New Year's Day swim a standout event in the lifestyle and calendar of outdoor-living enthusiasts in Reykjavik.
