A polar bear in its natural habitat, the Cayucos coast in winter. Photo illustration courtesy of Canva.

The 2024 Cayucos Polar Bear Dip just wrapped up earlier today, which attracted a big crowd, including many from San Luis Obispo High School. Hosted every year since 1978, this is the 44th annual dip. Every New Year’s Day at noon, the Polar Bear Dip takes place, and thousands of people from all over flock to Cayucos.

  To get up close and personal with this year’s Dip, Expressions interviewed a few students, and SLOHS’ very own Scott Nairne, who have done the Dip before, and some who haven’t had the opportunity yet.

Expressions: Have you ever been to or participated in the Cayucos Polar Bear Dip?

English teacher Scott Nairne: I’ve lived in Cayucos since 1999, and I’ve done it three times.

Freshman Miles Blackwell: No I have not.

Junior Addi Woods: I’ve been a few years in the past before COVID.

Expressions: Do you know anyone who has done the Polar Bear Dip?

Nairne: Yeah, Mr. Sanchez, the wood teacher has done it before.

Blackwell: Yeah, I have some friends who’ve done it.

Woods: Yes, I did it with my family and my friend Maggie Mckay.

Expressions: Would you do the Polar Dip in the future?

Nairne: I surf about a hundred days a year, so I’m not really interested in jumping in the ocean with a bunch of hungover people, you know?

Blackwell: No, it seems really cold.

Woods: Yes, I would. I think it’s a great way to start the new year, it is refreshing and fun to do.

Expressions: What would you say about the people who have done it?

Nairne: There’s a lot of families who do it together as a tradition, so that is super cool.

Blackwell: They’re crazy kinda, really extreme.

Woods: I think the people who do it like to jumpstart the new year, and they’re super adventurous.

Expressions: How much would someone have to pay you to do it?

Nairne: I’d do it for free, if someone invited me, or a family member asked to go.

Blackwell: A lot of money. Probably at least five hundred dollars.

Woods: Ten bucks or I’d do it for free.

  If you want to try something new, you can go down to Cayucos pier on January 1 at noon, and join thousands of others to hop in some waves for a cost free fun day!

Source: cayucoschamber.com