Polar bear plunges, Seattle style

Lake Sammamish State Park Polar Bear Plunge

• Festivities start at 10:30am, costume judging at 11:30am with the plunge at noon. $10 donation.

Seattle Resolution Run and Polar Bear Dive

• Magnuson Park. 5K starts at 10:30am ($35-$45), kids' run (free) at 11:30am.

Renton's Polar Bear Dip 

• Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park. 10am to 10:30am. Free.
• Or take a dip at the Henry Moses Aquatic Center between 12 and 12:30pm.

Normandy Park Polar Bear Plunge

 The Cove Normandy Park Community Club. 11am.

Birch Bay Polar Bear Plunge

• This classic plunge is two hours north of Seattle in Whatcom County but worth the drive.
• Noon. Free, but registration is requested.

Tacoma Polar Bear Plunge

•  Point Defiance Marina from 10am-1pm. $10. Must register ahead.

Host your own: Search for public boat ramps and launches. Find a couple near you and take the time to check them out and make sure they will work for you.

• Check the tide chart. High tide is around 7am and 4:38pm in Seattle on Jan. 1, set a time and invite your friends.
• Bring hot drinks, tunes and extra towels.

• Pro tip: I like spots that have a pier as well as a ramp so there's an option to jump in as well as walk. Be mindful of the waters' depth, though, and never dive.

If you go: Consider just being an observer if you have heart problems or other serious medical concerns that you haven't cleared with your healthcare professional.

• Wear water shoes or old sneakers to protect feet from barnacle-covered rocks.
• Remember to breathe when you hit the water and don't stay in too long.
• Keep your outer clothing on until the last second and get out of your wet clothes and into something dry once out of the water and drink something warm.