The Ibiza New Year’s Dive
Ibiza, the enchanting island known for its vibrant culture and stunning landscapes, takes on a new rhythm as it welcomes the New Year with a splash. What began as a crazy idea among a small part of the Dutch community in 2011 has transformed into a social phenomenon that now defines the first day of the year for many.
The Evolution of a Tradition
“Bette Hamersma laughs as she admits, ‘This dive has taken on a life of its own… for the better. We’re thrilled.’ What started as a peculiar notion has, over the years, become a tradition deeply rooted in Ibiza’s cultural fabric. Inquiries about its recurrence start as early as summer, making it a quintessential part of the island’s identity,” says Bette.
Thirteen years ago, a modest fifty bathers took the plunge at ses Salines beach at noon. In 2012, for the first time, media reported the curious New Year celebration of the Dutch community. As the years rolled on, the number of attendees grew exponentially—100, 200, 300, 500. Estimating the exact number this year proves challenging, but one thing is certain: the beach was teeming with people taking part in this unique New Year’s tradition, even on a cool and cloudy day.
A Picnic and Plunge Extravaganza
The reality consistently surpasses the expectations set by the Hamersma family, originally from Amsterdam, who has been organizing this massive New Year’s dive since 2011. Owners of Vino & Co, the family decided to go all out for the first day of 2024, preparing 300 bottles of Fleur rosé from L’Amaurige, a Provenza winery. This is a hundred more bottles than the previous year, as Bette confesses, “Last year, we ran out, so this time, we made sure to be well-stocked.” Alongside her sister, a friend, and their parents, they began uncorking bottles at 10:30 am, a good 90 minutes before the grand moment.
International Gathering at Ses Salines
The New Year’s Dive at ses Salines attracts not only locals but enthusiasts from the Netherlands and Germany who travel specifically for this event. Peter and Astrid Maas from Düsseldorf are among those who haven’t missed a single edition in the last decade. Dressed in matching outfits, the couple carries trays of cheese canapés with olives and pickles—a tradition where the Hamersma family provides the wine, and attendees bring the food.
The beach, filled with thousands of people eagerly awaiting noon, showcases a colorful spread of Dutch treats, including quiches, tortillas, salami, and oliebollen—deep-fried pastries. The festive atmosphere builds up as the countdown begins. With ten minutes to go, attendees shed their coats and robes. One minute before, one of the Hamersma sisters wades into the water, waist-deep, initiating the countdown with a loudspeaker: “Four, three, two…” Hundreds, as if possessed by the spirit of the moment, rush into the water. Screams, war cries, and even songs fill the air as participants brave the chilly waters. Many others stay on the beach, capturing videos or watching with a mix of envy and amusement.
Fashionable Orange Dive
The beach turns into a sea of orange as attendees, following the Dutch tradition, sport orange jumpsuits, pants, hoodies, or jackets (short-sleeved). To commemorate the occasion, the Hamersma family introduced a special edition T-shirt this year. With the slogan “Primer baño del año” (First bath of the year) in fluorescent orange against a gray background, 400 shirts were made available for sale at 15 euros each. The proceeds, as in previous years, go to a chosen NGO, with IbizaPreservation being the beneficiary this time.
“Having this shirt is now a trend; people were coming to our store a week before the event to buy it,” says Bette. A month ago, there were doubts about whether the event would take place at ses Salines due to beach erosion. The family considered relocating, but the sand gradually returned, revealing remnants of an old boat from the Salinera that sank decades ago during a storm.
A Joyful Chaos and Cold Water Revelry
Two hours before the exuberant collective dive, tranquility reigned over that stretch of the coastline. A cormorant peacefully fished on the calm sea, undisturbed by the tiny waves. Only the arrival of the first bathers disrupted the bird’s peace, much like a mother and her child. While she quickly dipped in and out, he lingered, even playing dead on the inert waters. “My son showers with cold water,” the mother justified. They swim every weekend, meaning it’s not just for the first day of the year. “I do it for routine and for the skin. It’s good for circulation and to shake off bad vibes,” she shares.
For Marc Rubira, a nightclub doorman who discovered the Dutch tradition last year through this very newspaper, this was his first time. Testing the waters around 11 am, he declared, “This has to be done without thinking too much.” Moments later, he sprinted into the water, headfirst. Though he didn’t last long, he admitted, “It’s not that bad.” Maria Eugenia Abrate, who has been participating for five years, echoed, “The water isn’t cold, seriously.” After drying off, she went to teach a tennis class, showcasing the diverse activities people engage in after the invigorating plunge.
A Long-Standing Affection for ses Salines
Around 10 am, a group from Es Verros de ses Salines jogged along the paths of the Natural Park. Training every Sunday since 8 am, Paco Costa claims, “Before 2000, we came to ses Salines for athletics and a dip in the waters. Not to compete with them, but we were here before the Dutch.”
As the day unfolded, ses Salines witnessed not just a wild and refreshing dive into the New Year but also a celebration of community, tradition, and the enduring spirit of ses Salines in Ibiza. The New Year’s Dive has become more than a tradition; it’s a testament to the vibrant fusion of cultures and the shared joy of starting the year with a splash.
In the end, as the sun set on the first day of 2024, the echoes of laughter, the sea breeze, and the memories of the New Year’s Dive lingered, setting the tone for the year ahead in the magical land of Ibiza.
