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Gallery: 2023 Padden Polar Dip

January 1, 2023 5:05 pm

Lifeguards Clara Phundt and Elizabeth Edwards take a dip as their lifeguard gear is left on the grassy. — First out and last in, lifeguards Clara Phundt, left, and Elizabeth Edwards walk to shore at the 2023 Padden Polar Dip. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Willadee Worthington-King wears paddle shoes as he puts his towel and clothes are put on the grass. — Willadee Worthington-King wears paddle shoes in anticipation of Lake Padden's slick muddy bottom at the Padden Polar Dip. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Mataio Gillis wears a dog mask as he submerges his body from the neck down in the water as two other men swim in the waters next to him. — Mataio Gillis wears a dog mask as he swims to shore. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Zeus, a German shepherd, watches his owner Eli Yakimyuk take a dip with another person in Lake Padden. — Zeus, a very obedient German shepherd, waits as owner Eli Yakimyuk takes a dip in Lake Padden. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Teresa Wolf takes a selfie while sporting a winter hat in Lake Padden surrounded by other attendees. — Teresa Wolf takes a photo while sporting a winter hat in Lake Padden. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Jessica Wunschel celebrates her 70th year with a selfie surrounded by other attendees as they prepare to take a dip in Lake Padden. — Jessica Wunschel celebrates her 70th year with a selfie and a dip in Lake Padden. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Hundreds of people enter and exit the chilly water of Lake Padden, all dressed in swimming attire. — Hundreds of people enter and exit the chilly water of Lake Padden at the Padden Polar Dip on Jan. 1. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Kerry Hastings in a cloud of soap bubbles as she dances on the hard gravel ground. — Kerry Hastings dances in a cloud of soap bubbles before taking part in the Padden Polar Dip. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Participants start off the new year with a loop around the lake as runners jog along the path, some with their dogs. — Participants start off the new year with a loop around the lake during the Resolution 5K Walk/Run before the Padden Polar Dip. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Costumes were encouraged by Bellingham Parks and Recreation at the Padden Polar Dip. — A man in a banana suit gets ready to dip into the lake. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Reactions vary as people enter and exit Lake Padden's cold water with all of them dressed in swim gear. — Reactions vary as people enter and exit Lake Padden's cold water during the 2023 Padden Polar Dip. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Hundreds celebrated the new year by participating in the Resolution 5K Walk/Run and Padden Polar Dip at Lake Padden on Jan. 1.