The stormy wind did not stop the New Year’s dive in Oss. More than four hundred participants braved the cold and wavy water. With a wind force of about six, the dive was extra heroic. “Nice and wild!” laughs participant Doris van Eenbergen, as he comes out of the water with a red upper body.
“Aahhhh!”, a true primal scream comes from Hans van Vugt’s throat. He clenches his arm muscles as he walks out of the water. “It was really cold! I’ve been doing this for twenty years, with some intervals. I once experienced that they had to cut a hole in the ice,” he laughs. “I once experienced 15 degrees. Just keep going, even with the wind!”
Most participants left the water within a few minutes. With a red-hot body, it was then quickly into the towel or bathrobe. Changing rooms had not been set up due to the strong wind. Carla Steenman: “We hesitated until the very last moment. And we just did it. It will now be an extra great year!”
Canceled
The New Year’s dive in Scheveningen was canceled due to the strong wind. The dive was also canceled in Lage Zwaluwe. This was canceled ‘last minute’, the organization was unable to set up a tent.
It could continue in Oss, just like with many other water bodies inland. “We hardly have any current here, not like in the sea. Fortunately, this lake is somewhat sheltered. We have kept a close eye on the weather,” says Robert van den Hurk of the rescue brigade. Many of his colleagues kept an eye on things in the water.
Extra exciting
“There were no accidents and, despite the wind, more than 400 participants,” Van den Hurk continues. “The wind made it extra exciting for many people to participate.”
“It almost hurt my feet, it was so cold. I have no regrets!”, says Lize Ulijn. “You can’t start the new year in a better way. The wind made it extra beautiful! Nice and wild!”, says the muscular Doris van Eenbergen. “All people want to celebrate life here. It had to be that it was allowed to continue here.”