Recovering from old and new in a very sporty way: 350 people will dive in the Galderse Meren in Breda on Thursday. They start the new year with a big splash with a refreshing dip in four-degree water.
“Three, two, one go!”, 350 people ran from the beach of the Galderse Meren into the cold water on Thursday afternoon. Wearing the well-known orange hats, they start 2026 with a very refreshing dive. The water is ‘only’ four degrees.
A man sprints out of the water after the dive and shouts: “It’s very cold, but nice. I feel tingling in my body. But otherwise: Happy new year.”
2025 washing dishes
Doree is also one of the brave ones who takes a dip this afternoon. “I’ve gone crazy, a little bit,” she says, laughing, before running into the water. “Just wash away 2025. I think I deserve a new year with all kinds of fresh new things, after my divorce. I think it’s a good idea to do this.”
Back out of the water, she says, shivering slightly: “Wonderful. I can’t feel the bottom of my body anymore, but it was really nice.”
Hot chocolate
It’s not just mature adults who brave the cold. Many children also take the refreshing New Year’s dive. One of them is Ammelie. “My mother said, ‘Shall we do the New Year’s dive?’ I think I will try to go in,” she says.
As a reward, something tasty awaits her. “We have hot chocolate and I’m just really looking forward to it, it keeps me warm.”
Friends Dylan and Wesley go into the water, just because they like it. “I’m actually looking forward to it. Just a nice start to the new year,” says Dylan. It doesn’t bother him that the water is only four degrees. “We’ll survive. A week ago one of my best friends, Wesley, came up with the idea to do this. Why not? It’s actually his fault.”
Madness
Wesley: “I’m really looking forward to it, man. Even more fun than New Year’s Eve, actually. We’re doing it more for fun, to start the new year off right.”
Back out of the water, the two take a short break to warm up quickly. “It was wonderful, but very cold.”