Photos: An icy start to 2026 with the Polar Bear Double Dip

From Lake Washington to the city’s Aquatic Center, Renton knows how to shock the system for the New Year.

By Bailey Josie • January 2, 2026 4:10 pm

For the 2026 Polar Bear Double Dip, the water was cold, but the camaraderie was warm, as hundreds came out to start off the new year in Renton with two icy plunges.

From 10 to 10:30 a.m. Jan. 1, large crowds of friends and families made their way to Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park to run and jump into the 47 degree Fahrenheit waters of Lake Washington, followed swiftly by free Ivar’s clam chowder and a photo op with the Ivar’s Dancing Clam mascot.

A few hours later, a smaller but no less exuberant crowd of polar “dippers” braved the colder waters of the Henry Moses Aquatic Center, with its biting 42 degree Fahrenheit water. Among the second crowd were proud “double dippers” who journeyed into both bodies of water, including Renton City Councilmember Ryan McIrvin. Henry Moses dippers were also treated to Ivar’s clam chowder and hot beverages.