They do it at spas and in physical therapy. They do it in tanks and in the Sound .
Cold plunging — where people immerse themselves in icy cold water — is a thing. A big thing.
And it doesn’t get any bigger than at Polar Bear Plunges — community events where hundreds of people — some in costume — throw caution to the wind and jump in cold bodies of water to celebrate New Year’s Day.
It’s the popularity of cold plunging that’s driven up the numbers registering for this year’s plunge sponsored by Metro Parks Tacoma at Point Defiance Marina on Jan. 1, 2025, according to marina manager Cecil Goodson.
“There’s a general growing popularity with cold plunging in general, for physical and mental health benefits,” he said. “It’s certainly got a lot more mainstream to do cold plunging as part of a regular, regulated routine.”
Why the marina?
Sure, you can wade into the Sound just about anywhere. But the Metro Parks event offers camaraderie and bravery.
“It is very hard to walk out into really cold water,” Goodson said. “Sometimes it’s a little easier to mentally make yourself brave enough to jump in.”