Year-End Swim Marks the Beginning of a New Calendar Year's Chapter
In the heart of winter, Reykjavík, Iceland, plays host to a unique and invigorating New Year's tradition that reflects the nation's affinity for geothermal and open-water swimming despite harsh conditions.
On January 1, 2023, a record-breaking New Year's Day swim took place under sub-zero temperatures and unusually thick ice. Organised by the Reykjavík Sea Swimming Association (SJÓR), the event attracted a large group of participants, many of whom were dressed in thematic styles or fancy attire to celebrate the new year.
Herdís Anna Þorvaldsdóttir, chairperson of SJÓR, expressed her joy at being able to go to the sea together after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. She believes that the New Year's Day swim sets the tone for the year, producing well-being and joy. Þorvaldsdóttir herself was seen wearing a sequined gown for the occasion.
The same record-breaking cold temperatures and thick ice were also experienced on December 31, 2022, during the New Year's Eve swim in Nauthólsvík. The unusual conditions made the swims different from most other swims of the year, offering a refreshing challenge that is embraced by locals and visitors alike.
Swimming in cold water or soaking in geothermal pools is a year-round activity in Iceland, including New Year’s Day. People commonly participate even in sub-zero air temperatures, with sea and pool water temperatures often between 2–10°C. Participants in the New Year's Day swim wear standard swimwear appropriate for very cold water swimming, while public pools such as Sundhöllin and Laugardalur offer warm and cold bathing options, allowing swimmers to alternate between hot and cold water for a traditional Icelandic experience.
Icelandic pool etiquette requires thorough showering with soap and washing hair before entering any pool or hot spring, a practice that ensures minimal chemical use in pools and is strictly observed year-round.
New Year’s Day swims can often be part of larger wellness or celebratory events, symbolising a fresh start and endurance against the cold, resonating with the Icelandic spirit. Though not always fancifully dressed, some events or groups might choose to wear fun costumes or themed swimwear to mark the occasion, but this is more of a personal or community choice rather than a widespread tradition.
As the new year begins, Icelanders and visitors in Reykjavík continue to embrace the cold weather conditions by participating in swims or soaks in geothermal pools or the chilly sea, emphasising resilience, wellness, and connection to Iceland’s natural geothermal environment.
- Despite the chilly weather and thick ice, the living and lifestyle in Iceland remains closely linked with nature, as demonstrated by the popular New Year's Day swims held both in Reykjavík and Nauthólsvík.
- The home-and-garden landscape in Iceland is not merely confined to buildings, but extends to the outdoors, with geothermal pools being a significant part of the nation's domestic life, such as Sundhöllin and Laugardalur, offering both warm and cold bathing options.
- The unique tradition of New Year's Day swims, paired with Icelandic pool etiquette stressing cleanliness and hygiene, underscores the nation's emphasis on wellness and connection to nature, reflecting in their lifestyle choices.
