The 23rd Annual Surf City Splash—where hundreds of costume-clad people race into the ocean for a dip to mark the transition to the new year—returned to Huntington Beach Jan. 1 after a three-year hiatus.
After strong winds canceled the event in 2019, it was again canceled due to COVID restrictions in 2020, and again in 2021 after the October 2021 oil spill off the coast of Huntington Beach.
This event is a fundraiser, this year benefiting the North Orange County Surfrider Foundation—a nonprofit of science, environmental, and legal experts who work to protect the ocean and local beaches.
“The Surf City Splash is one of the few non-surfing related events that allows nearly everyone to start the new year with a splash washing away the year prior and welcoming in the next,” a spokesperson from the North OC Surfrider Foundation told The Epoch Times. “It’s something positive for the community to be a part of and we hope as many people can make it out and join us in making a splash.”
The event drew over 200 people who jumped into the ocean at noon, with over 600 additional onlookers surrounding the beach and pier.
Highlights included a costume contest, musical entertainment, and a DJ in the morning as guests visited merchandise booths and the city’s ice-skating rink at the Pier Plaza.
There was also a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the North OC chapter of the Surfrider Foundation joining the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Following the splash was an opportunity drawing for gift cards for various local businesses and restaurants. An online auction for art, food, travel tickets, services, and other goods was additionally held a few days prior to the event and the winners were announced after the drawing.
State Sen. Janet Nguyen (R-Huntington Beach), Assemblywoman Diane Dixon (R-Huntington Beach), and Mayor Pro Tem Gracey Van Der Mark were among those who attended the event as guest speakers, highlighting the public’s need to protect the city’s beaches.
Van Der Mark also counted down at noon as the eager crowd ran into the water while bystanders cheered.
In advance of the “big splash”, the foundation hosted a New Year’s Eve Beach Cleanup Dec. 31. Participants received two tickets for the opportunity drawing New Year’s Day.
According to a spokesperson from the North OC Surfrider Foundation, Surf City Splash began in 2000 when Love Lee Ghione decided to replicate the “polar plunge”—a similar tradition in other “colder areas.”
Over the years Ghione began using it to benefit local organizations, such as the Lions Club, Rotary Club, and International Surfing Museum. It has grown over the years to its current state.
This tradition is very beneficial to surrounding businesses, shops, and restaurants along Main Street who draw in their own crowds from the event.
The event was also supported and sponsored by surrounding businesses, including Duke’s, Zack’s, Jack’s, Rockin' Fig’s Surf Shop, Tru Bowl, McKinnon Surf & SUP Lessons, RipCurl, and Pacific City.
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