The traditional Easter Plunge in Knokke-Heist turned into a particularly atmospheric and successful edition on Sunday morning, despite challenging conditions. Some 100 enthusiastic polar bears braved wind and cold seawater and provided an energetic start to the new season at Surfers Paradise. Supporters were also massively on post.

The event kicked off at 11am, when participants could change and prepare. At 11.20 am, everyone gathered for a collective warm-up, enthusiastically accompanied by Joyce and Charona and the Paradise “dance team”. The Easter Bunny was also on hand.

Afterwards, the group headed towards the sea for a pleasant group photo, followed by the official starting signal. Under a fresh west wind of 5 to 6 Beaufort, with a wind chill of about 8°C and a water temperature of 10°C, about 100 polar bears walked at the same time into the North Sea, again accompanied this year by the Bruges polar bears and Alderman for Sport and Tourism Bert de Brabandere, who has never missed an edition.

After the dive, participants could re-warm up and reminisce with mulled wine, waffles, gin shots and fresh sandwiches, happily offered by Surfers Paradise.

Then it was the turn of the first surfers and kitesurfers who also opened their season with brisk winds and bright sunshine !