West Seattle Weblog… | VIDEO, PHOTOS: Alki Beach Polar Bear Swim 2026 begins West Seattle’s new yr with enjoyable, hope, giving

That was simply a part of the gang – doubtless 2,000+ robust – that bumped into and out of Puget Sound all alongside Alki Beach at 10 am sharp. Biggest crowd but, as estimated by some practiced eyes – the seashore was filled with scenes pre-swim that resembled tailgate events. The food-donation bins put out by organizer Mark Ufkes and household had been getting crammed, too, including an expression of giving spirit to the ever-more-popular event.

ADDED 11:50 AM: Mark and spouse Lois Schipper, a longtime public-health skilled now dwelling with early-onset Alzheimer’s (as Mark talked about on this yr’s swim announcement), went into the water from mid-beach

(WSB photographs from right here by Dave Gershgorn)

But first he needed to do the countdown!

Pre-plunge, Mark instructed WSB’s Jason Grotelueschen – who recorded the video above – that it’s wonderful to see the group come out yearly… this yr the water temperature (mid-40s) was significantly hotter than the air temperature (mid-30s), which makes moving into much less stunning, “at least that’s the theory! But we never truly get used to it.” Going into 2026, he inspired individuals to actually look after one another and encourage one another as a result of “they need it more than we’ll ever know.” Many had been there with mates, household, as Dave Gershgorn‘s subsequent 10 photographs for WSB present:

More so as to add!