South Bay History: Cabrillo Beach Polar Bears began their annual New Year’s Day dips in 1953

Orange County also holds Polar Bear events. In Huntington Beach, Mike Parks organized a New Year’s Day swim through his church group that took place in 1998 near the city’s pier. A few years later, resident Lee Love took over the event, renaming it Surf City Splash. It now attracts hundreds of participants annually. Further south ...