The traditional New Year’s dive in Scheveningen is cancelled. The New Year’s Diving Netherlands Foundation announced this on Monday afternoon: reports main sponsor Unox. Due to the predicted strong wind in combination with a strong current and high waves of up to three meters, the organization did not consider it responsible to continue the dive.
It would be the second year in which approximately ten thousand people would ring in the new year with a dip in the North Sea, near the Beelden aan Zee museum. This used to happen in front of the famous Kurhaus, but the boulevard there is currently being renovated. The tradition dates back to 1960, when a group of friends went into the sea near Zandvoort on New Year’s Day.
Mayor of The Hague Jan van Zanen urges people not to come to the beach of Scheveningen on their own, because this is “really too risky”, he tells ANP. He hopes that the New Year’s dive can go ahead on January 1, 2026 and promises to participate himself.
More cancellations and adjustments
The New Year’s dive in Scheveningen is the largest of its kind, but similar events are organized everywhere in the Netherlands. Earlier in the day, these were canceled at various locations, including Ameland, Terschelling and Egmond aan Zee and Rotterdam, news agency ANP reports. According to the meteorological institute KNMI, wind gusts of up to 90 kilometers per hour can occur around the countdown moment and code yellow has been declared for North Holland and the Wadden Island.
Due to the expected inclement weather, more events around New Year’s Eve have been adjusted this time. For example, in several places, including Scheveningen and Duindorp, the traditional bonfires are lit on this Monday. The national fireworks show at the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam will continue for the time being.