In Germany and Italy, people celebrated the arrival of 2025 with unique traditions like frigid water swimming and dives.
In Berlin, brave swimmers marked the new year with their annual ice bath tradition. Members of the Berlin Seals Club swam and danced in the icy waters, where the morning water temperature was 6 degrees Celsius, and the air temperature was 4 degrees.
Meanwhile, in the Italian capital, Rome, three men dove off the 18-meter-high Cavour Bridge into the Tiber River—a tradition dating back to 1946.
The Netherlands also has a similar tradition of diving into the icy North Sea to welcome the new year. However, this year’s event was canceled due to strong winds.
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Swimmers Ring in 2025 With Annual New Year’s Day Plunge From Alcatraz to SF | ABC7 News Bay Area
Swimmers from across the Bay Area rang in 2025 with the annual New Year’s Day swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco.
See ABC7 News
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Upper Arlington HS Swimmer Charged With Felonious Assault in Locker Room Incident | WBNS 10TV
Police received a statement that two students were playing the “snail” game, which involves giving a fake fist bump, when the victim “got caught.”
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Beach Safety | Avoid Swimming in Areas Without Lifeguards | eNCA
With the wave of tourists heading to the beach this festive season there is increased risk of drownings. Beachgoers are advised to observe lifeguard duty hours and to avoid swimming in areas without them. Lifesaving SA says this will keep people safe and lower the country’s drowning rate.
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Man, 67, Drowns After Accidentally Driving off Fishing Pier He Likely Mistook for Bridge | WLOX
Authorities in Mississippi said one person died after driving a car into the water near Palace Casino Resort in Biloxi on Sunday night.
Officials say the incident took place sometime before 9 p.m. at the Biloxi drive-on fishing pier, which runs adjacent to the Biloxi Bay Bridge.
Harrison County Coroner Brian Switzer says 67-year-old Paul Costello, from Milton, Florida, died in the incident.
See KBTX
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Charges Filed Against Upper Arlington Swimmer | NBC4 Columbus
Accused of choking, injuring teammate earlier this month
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Who Were the Best Swimmers in 2024? | Propulsion Swimming Podcast
To end 2024, the Propulsion Swimming Podcast reviews the last 12 months and names it’s top swimmers of the year, British and international, with a nod towards the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
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How B.C.’s Polar Bear Swim Tradition Evolved | CBC British Columbia
New Year’s Day is right around the corner, and for some, that means a cool dip in cold water. We talked to Dave Horton and Lisa Pantages about the annual tradition — how it started and what it’s become today.
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Ability 360 Swimmer Completes Grueling Two-Mile Swim From Alcatraz to San Francisco | ABC15 Arizona
A nine-year-old Ability 360 swimmer is celebrating a feat even many of the most experienced swimmers can’t say they have accomplished.