In the light of not wondering about things and just getting off your ass and DO them, even though they might seem scary, a couple of us have decided to actually go and do the Nieuwjaarsduik (New Year’s Dive) on the 1st of January. For the ones among you who are dutch and have lived under a rock for the past thirty years, or the foreigners who happen to read my blog, this is the big idea: …there isn’t any. At some point a long time ago, some (probably very drunk) people thought it would be awesome to start off the new year by taking a dip in the Noordzee. You know, to sober up, probably. Anyway, it probably wasn’t very awesome, but somehow it became tradition. For me it’s just one of those thing I’ve always wondered about, how it would be. The other thought I have about it is ‘fucking idiots’, but hey, who gives a damn? It’ll be hilarious. 
So with a couple of people we decided just what the hell, and after our new year’s party we’re planning to go for the Nieuwjaarsduik. It’s in Scheveningen anyway, we thought. And we’d be in Rijswijk, it’s a tram’s ride away.I just looked up how cold the water usually is in Scheveningen in January, and it’s usually about 5-9 degrees centigrade. Usually around 7C. Which is the equivalent of the cold bath you have after sitting in the sauna. So I think I can do this, and so can everybody else. It’s going to be freaking cold, it’s going to be a very bad idea, but OMG it’ll be awesome
But now I’m checking the website and they’re talking about only 10K people, buying tickets, having to be there early or it’s sold out… etcetc.
It kind of takes the spontaneity out of it, for me. I’d be okay with going to Kijkduin or a little further along the beach in Scheveningen for a dip as well. As long as we have our own blankets and hot tea (and camera’s) – that’d be enough for me. What about you guys?
I agree. I find it completely ridiculous to pay for a dive into the water!
I don’t need a big audience to do something stupid anyway
I actually hadn’t thought you’d want to go to the “official” thing anyway – it’s so goddamned crowded and commercial. Not really our thing, right?
I’ll bring a camera
That sounds so cool!!
We sometimes do that in the winter as well, not specifically new years. Except the waters here freeze over, so we need to drill a hole in the ice to dunk in. Fun and refreshing!
Take loads of pictures!!! =)
Good luck! I hope you have fun. Post pics.
I’ve looked at the site and there are two sites near me. I had no idea they did this at so many places in the country.
I am so going to dive with my rainbow hat on