BIRCH BAY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – An annual New Year’s tradition in Whatcom County is aiming to break a record next year.

The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce says that they’ll attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest polar plunge to kick off 2026.

In January, roughly 1600 people dove into the icy waters of Birch Bay to kick off the new year. The Chamber says that their annual event has grown since its inception 43 years ago.

“This world record attempt will be an exciting opportunity to showcase the Birch Bay community, our beautiful shoreline, and all we have to offer to a myriad of visitors, both new and returning,” said Sacha Sanguinetti, Event Coordinator for the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce. “We expect this event, and the publicity it brings, to be an economic boost for the community for years to come.”

Guinness currently lists a 2015 polar plunge in Poland as the world’s largest, with nearly 1800 participants.

Registration for their record-breaking attempt will open sometime this summer.