Ostend (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Around 4,500 people joined Ostend’s New Year’s Day dip, entering knee-deep due to high waves. 5 needed brief medical attention, while the rest completed the icy plunge safely.
As VRT News reported, in Ostende this afternoon, Jan 3, 2026, around 4,500 people gathered along the coast for the city’s traditional New Year’s Day dip in the North Sea. Organisers had initially planned for participants to dive fully into the icy water. However, safety concerns forced a change.
Axel Goudesone of Oostende Tourism said,
“The best-case scenario was, of course, for everyone to dive completely into the sea, but we decided with the security services that the weather was too dangerous for that. The waves were too high, so plan B became a small splash.”
What challenges did 4,500 face during Ostende’s New Year’s dip?
Officials mentioned that even wading into the water up to knee height was challenging. The sea temperature measured just 4°C, and the wind chill made it feel closer to -3°C. Many participants braved the cold. Safety remained a top priority throughout the event, with staff and security overseeing the crowd to prevent accidents.
“We had people enter and exit the water in three waves,”
said Mayor John Crombez (Vooruit Plus).
“That way, people could get out quickly, because it was really freezing. Divers set up a rope to indicate how far the polar bears could enter the water.” “Someone needs to be able to oversee the situation,”
he joked.
“About 200 people, from logistics staff and security services to volunteers, kept everything running smoothly,”
Goudesone adds.
“We made sure people were well-warmed before entering the water, because hypothermia is one of the biggest risks. And immediately after the dive, they had to warm up again quickly by putting on warm clothes.”
Every January 1, thousands of people come to Oostende, Belgium, to participate in the annual New Year’s Day dip into the North Sea. In 2024, there were about 3,800 participants who braved the 5°C water temperature, while over 4,000 took advantage of the same opportunity in 2025. The event is organised with assistance from local authorities and security agencies to provide a safe environment for all.
