Nothing helps start the new year off on the right foot quite like a dip in the ocean — just as the Cabrillo Beach Polar Bears.
Hundreds gathered Monday, Jan. 1 at Cabrillo Beach to once again take part in the annual Polar Bear swim, San Pedro’s seven-decade New Year’s Day tradition.
Despite all kinds of last-minute issues that put this year’s swim in some uncertainty — from rain and water quality warnings to high surf and, finally, an early morning earthquake — it all went off without a hitch, according to organizers.
“It was a beautiful day,” said Nancy Utovic, one of the participants who also served as the Polar Bear swim “queen” in 2000.
“The sun was shining, it was warm,” said Annie Donahue, the group’s current president.
The waves were about 2 feet — down from the 7-foot swells in recent days. And while there were cautions about the water quality due to the recent rains, lifeguards told organizers that the outer beach at Cabrillo has good circulation, so folks could use their own discretion.
“There was one water advisory sign, but it wasn’t heeded,” Donahue said, estimating about 1,000 people turned out.
Participants included Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, a regular. But the current council member, Tim McOsker, showed up in street clothes for his remarks and well-wishes.
“We haven’t converted him yet,” Donahue said. “He needs to embrace his inner Polar Bear.”
Donahue put in some long hours as conditions seemed to complicate this year’s annual swim.
“Then there was an earthquake this morning, and someone texted me … asking if there were tsunami warnings,” Donahue said. (There were none.) “I said, ‘Oh no, add that to the list.’ “
The first official Polar Bear swim took place Jan. 1, 1953, and it’s been held nearly every year since — barring pandemics or sewage spills, which canceled two recent swims. And since its inception, the swim has become a reunion of sorts for…
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