Strong winds cancel Scheveningen New Year’s dive for second year
The traditional New Year’s Dive in Scheveningen was canceled on Thursday because of strong winds, with authorities and rescue services warning the public not to enter the North Sea independently.
The annual New Year’s Day plunge in Egmond aan Zee has also been canceled because of hazardous weather conditions, organizers said, citing safety concerns. About 2,000 swimmers usually take part, with an estimated 3,000 spectators expected this year.
The latest cancellations follow similar decisions elsewhere in the Netherlands: the plunge in Scheveningen was called off earlier Thursday due to strong winds, as was the event in Heemstede, while plunges in Almelo, Hengelo, Nijeveen, Oldenzaal, Didam, Varsseveld, and Mierlo were scrapped because of icy conditions.
The Scheveningen event, which normally draws about 10,000 participants who run into the sea at noon on January 1 to mark the start of the new year, was called off for the second year in a row. Organizers said the weather made it impossible to meet permit requirements.
“It is, of course, very unfortunate. All preparations had been made. The entire event site was set up. The volunteers were already having coffee,” organizer Alex Schuttert told Omroep West. “But the strong wind is now the spoiler. We cannot use the stage and cannot set up the tents.” Schuttert said conditions were already uncertain on New Year’s Eve, but there was still hope.
Omroep West meteorologist Jordi Bloem described harsh conditions. “Wind force is 7 from the west, and temperatures are low. The wind chill is around freezing,” Bloem said. He said skies were gray with rain; a brief dry period was possible Thursday afternoon, followed by new showers with small hail and possibly wet snow.
Mayor Jan van Zanen of The Hague said he was disappointed by the cancellation. Van Zanen had planned to take part himself. “But the safety of participants and the organization comes first,” he said. “Hopefully, we can once again begin the year with this beautiful Haagse tradition on January 1, 2027.”
The Haagse Vrijwillige Reddingsbrigade urged people not to enter the sea on their own. “If you do, you put yourself in mortal danger, and the emergency responders as well, if they have to come rescue you,” said Shane Stam of the rescue brigade.
Despite last year’s cancellation, some people still went into the water on their own. Schuttert again advised against it. “The event site is closed, and we are starting to dismantle everything,” he said. “Find another way to make it a nice, pleasant New Year’s Day.”
Weeronline reported unsettled weather nationwide, with moderate to strong winds inland and hard winds along the coast. Temperatures range from 3 to 6 degrees; showers are expected to move in from the northwest, with west-to-northwest winds.
Colder air is expected overnight into Friday, bringing increasingly wintry showers and wet snow. Inland areas could see a thin layer of snow by Friday morning, while coastal regions may see wet snow with less chance of accumulation. Snow showers are expected again overnight into Saturday. Weeronline said wintry conditions, nighttime frost, and daytime highs of 1 to 4 degrees are likely to persist into the new week.
