PORT ANGELES — A group of five eager “polar bears” celebrated New Year’s Eve day with a quick swim in Port Angeles Harbor in preparation for today’s official Polar Bear Dip at Hollywood Beach.

“We wanted to celebrate the end and beginning of the year with a dip,” said Lucy Nordwell of Port Angeles. “We did this last year and really enjoyed it.”

The group is also challenging participants in the 15th annual Polar Bear Dip to run into the water three times rather than the traditional two times.

The public is welcome to join the dip in the frigid water of Port Angeles Harbor today at 10 a.m.

“If you can muster up the courage to dip in the Strait, the rest of the year is pretty easy,” said Bill Berger, owner of Star Video, 160 Port Angeles Plaza, a sponsor of the event.

The event will begin at 9:30 a.m. with a warm-up run. Then, people will line up on Hollywood Beach, run into the water and submerge themselves twice to become official “polar bears.”

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