The KNMI announced code yellow this morning around the turn of the year. “It will remain stormy all night, and it will also be bad on New Year’s Day.” This is what NH weatherman Jan Visser said. There is a lot of rain and it can also rain heavy gusts of wind arise.
Organizer Tom Valkering decided on Monday morning in consultation with the municipality of Bergen and the KNRM, among others, to cancel the event.
Thousands of visitors
About two thousand people participate in the dive every year. In total, the event attracts around six thousand visitors.
“Some say that with the expected weather you have no business being on the beach,” says Valkering. “It is very unfortunate, but we must be able to guarantee safety.”
People who had already ordered a ticket will receive a refund in the first week of the new year. The drinks after the dive, in the Egmond catering industry, will continue as usual on Wednesday.
In addition to the organized dive, there are also many individual initiatives to take a dip in the sea on New Year’s Day. But this is strongly discouraged.