The Sloterplas in Nieuw-West is the setting for a busy New Year’s dive on New Year’s Day. Hundreds of people dived back into the water for the first time in three years. The party, run by volunteers, is full of traditions.
The pea soup (also halal), glühwein and hot chocolate are ready for all people who enter the Sloterplas on New Year’s Day. Marco de Maijer, part of the organization, has been eagerly awaiting this day: “It’s nice to be able to go again, I expect at least four hundred people today.”
And that expectation came true. Around half past 1 the beach starts to fill up. For some it was the first time, as one woman says: “I had to believe it once, although I think it’s cold now.” That is not too bad this year, because on the first day of 2023 it was still a comfortable twelve degrees.
After the dive, many people quickly put on something warm again, although a few remain in swimwear for a while. “You get very cold at first, but then you get a warm glow,” says one woman.
And in addition to the traditional Sloterplas Serenade by ice cream man Roberto, Debbie’s sing-alongs and the joint blue beak, there is another tradition: the AT5 trainee also goes into the water. Although this year – for the first time – she was accompanied by a reporter.