THE HAGUE – Once again thousands of people are not running from the beach of Scheveningen into the sea on New Year’s Day: the New Year’s Dive will not take place for the second year.
The organization has informed Omroep West about this. Instead, the organization will again send cans with seawater this year, so that people can still take their New Year’s dip at home on 1 January.
Since 1965, the New Year’s Dive has been taking place in Scheveningen year in, year out.
The event soon attracted many visitors. In the newspapers of the early 1970s, there was already talk about a tradition.
At the turn of the century it was such a success that 10,000 people traveled to the resort for a dip in the salty sea water.
In 2022, however, it will be quiet again on the Scheveningen beach on January 1.
For the second year in a row, corona throws a spanner in the works. ‘This was a bit of a no-brainer’, says organizer Alex Schuttert about the decision. “We were ready, but because many things are closed now, there is too much uncertainty to let it go through.”
Alternative due to success extended –
Schuttert thought it was important to inform people in time. ‘The New Year’s Dive is a huge operation. We could have continued to puzzle for a solution, but at some point you have to conclude that it is not possible. It is of course a great pity, but we kind of saw this coming.’
Just like last year, there will now be a package to celebrate the New Year’s Dive at home.
With special cans filled with seawater. ‘The package was very popular and we were through the cans fairly quickly . So that’s why we extended the alternative due to success’, explains Schuttert. ‘The cans have also been made slightly longer this year, so that the promotion has really been extended in all areas.’
Cheerful alternative –
Due to last year’s success, the organization has doubled the number of cans that can be ordered. ‘Everyone was so enthusiastic last year that we wanted to provide a cheerful alternative again this year.
We therefore hope that many people will do the New Year’s Dive at home after all.’
Source link – https://www.omroepwest.nl/nieuws/4492106/nieuwjaarsduik-scheveningen-afgelast-wel-alternatief-met-blikken-zeewater
