Sint-Niklaas (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Around 10 Wase Ster swimmers braved freezing De Ster pond today, Jan 7, 2026. Organiser Franky Lyssens expects 800 participants for Sunday’s 15th Wase Polar Bear Dive in Sint-Niklaas.
As VRT News reported, around 10 swimmers took a dip in the swimming pond at De Ster recreation area in Sint-Niklaas today, Jan 7, 2025. Members of the Wase Ster swimming club went straight into the icy water. They wore only swimsuits or trunks and jumped in despite the freezing temperatures.
“The colder it is, the better we like it,”
says Els D’hooge from Beveren.
“We even lay down in the snow for a bit. It feels even colder than the water.”
What is happening at the 15th Wase Polar Bear dive in Sint-Niklaas?
The water in the pond at De Ster is just above freezing, as in past years. The cold winter wind makes it feel much colder.
“The key is to warm up properly,”
says Smet.
“It’s almost a once-in-a-lifetime experience to experience a polar bear dive in the snow.”
The 15th official Wase Polar Bear Dive will take place this Sunday, Jan 11, 2025. Organiser Franky Lyssens expects around 800 people to take part. The event draws both experienced winter swimmers and newcomers.
Lyssens recalls the very first edition, when the pond was completely frozen. Volunteers had to break the ice for swimmers to enter.
“For an edition in the snow, we have to go back to the very first time,”
he said.
“Hopefully, it will inspire people to participate for the first time. Bring a good hat and gymnastics slippers, and put on warm clothes quickly after the swim. True polar bears won’t want to miss this edition,”
Lyssens said.
Since 2009, the De Ster Recreation Area in Sint-Niklaas has hosted the Wase Polar Bear Dive annually. In 2010, due to a very cold winter, the swimming pond was completely frozen, and the volunteers who participated had to cut holes in the ice so that the participants could get into the water. The event has continued to gain popularity since then.
