The participants gather in the De Dregt village hall and New Year’s wishes are exchanged left and right. The clothes come off, the bathrobes put on. A warm-up is done to a pumping beat, after which Mayor Dijkman of Drechterland leads the procession of daredevils towards the Markermeer with the Schellinkhout flag.
Just like last year, the village hall was chosen as a base for the New Year’s dive. Then the water was like this high that moving was necessary. “Luckily we have warm accommodation here where people can change and where they can warm up after the dive with chowder and chocolate milk,” says Dirk Koen of the organization. “We hope to be able to use it again next year.”
Fast and easy
Where there is the New Year’s dive in many other places cancelled the event in Schellinkhout will continue as normal. “We have the advantage that the water of the Markermeer is shallow. There are no currents, so it is not dangerous at all. It can be done quickly and easily here.”
“It’s the first time I’m participating,” says one participant. “I actually don’t like the cold at all, but I really wanted to experience this once. It seems really cool.” Once all participants have reached the shell beach and the countdown begins, there is no escape. The participants run into the cold water with a loud cheer.
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