New Year's Eve swim sets a precedent for the upcoming year
Celebrating the New Year in Unusual Conditions: The Nauthólsvík New Year's Day Swim
The traditional New Year's Day swim in Nauthólsvík, Reykjavík, took place yesterday, marking the end of a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Over a hundred people braved the cold to participate in the annual event, which is part of a long-standing local culture of sea swimming and geothermal bathing.
The conditions for the swim were unusual this year, with record cold temperatures and thick ice. Despite the challenging environment, participants wore fancy attire to celebrate the new year, with many donning sequined gowns and thematic costumes.
Herdís Anna Þorvaldsdóttir, chairperson of SJÓR, took part in the swim, wearing a sequined gown. She found the swim beautiful and different, reflecting the unique blend of cold Atlantic seawater and warm geothermal water that Nauthólsvík is known for.
"Starting the year with the New Year's Day swim produces well-being and joy," said Þorvaldsdóttir. She believes that challenging the laws of nature is a good thing to do and that sea swimming sets a positive tone for the year.
The thickness of the ice over the water was unusual in this year's swim, making the initial plunge even more challenging. However, the nearby geothermal lagoon and hot tub provided warmer relief before and after the swim, allowing participants to alternate between cold and warm water.
While specific historical records about the New Year’s Day swim itself at Nauthólsvík are not detailed extensively, the area is well-established as Reykjavík’s main hub for sea swimming, frequented by locals who enjoy bathing in the ice-cold sea tempered by geothermal heating. Icelanders have a strong tradition of cold-water swimming and outdoor bathing, especially at this accessible and unique beach near the city center.
Participants typically wear regular swimwear suitable for cold water swimming, with some also wearing neoprene gloves, caps, or booties to protect extremities. After the swim, people often warm up in the geothermal soak areas or use the outdoor showers and changing facilities.
In 2018, a record cold temperature of -2.2 degrees was hit in Nauthólsvík, and this year, the temperature has been close to that mark several times, including yesterday. Despite the cold, the spirit of the event remained high, with participants braving the elements to celebrate the start of the new year in a unique and invigorating way.
A group photo of all participants in the New Year's Day swim 2023 was taken, capturing the moment of camaraderie and shared determination that defines this annual tradition. As the sun set over the geothermal beach, the participants left the water, warmed up, and no doubt looked forward to the adventures that the new year would bring.
- Despite the record cold temperatures and thick ice that made the New Year's Day swim in Nauthólsvík challenging, participants celebrated the new year in fashionable attire, reflecting the unique combination of cold and warm water activities that the location is known for.
- The unconventional nature of the New Year's Day swim, set against the backdrop of home-and-garden landscapes with geothermal soak areas and outdoor showers, provides a perfect example of outdoor-living and the Icelandic tradition of cold-water swimming and bathing.
- Coupled with the lively news of the unusual New Year's Day swim and the local lifestyle that embraces cold-water bathing, the engaging stories of nature and weather in Nauthólsvík contribute to an enriching exploration of the area, appealing to both residents and visitors alike.
