What’s the best way to get yourself to jump into the Pacific Ocean in January? “Don’t think. Thinking is not a good idea at this point. It makes no sense to think at all.” Those are the words of advice from Janice Gaines, founder of Manzanita’s New Year’s Day polar plunge, who started 2023 by jumping into the surf at Neahkahnie Beach with a few hundred people. For the 19th annual event, the weather was about as good as it gets on the Oregon coast this time of year: clear skies, variable winds of 5 mph, about 45 degrees in the air and about 50 degrees in the water. “It’s daunting, and of course when you first dive in, it’s just shock city,” said Gaines’ husband, Mike Ehlen. “But when you get out and your skin’s tingling and all the blood’s going to your skin, it’s just a heck of a rush. And of course you get to come back to the fire, and everybody’s smiling and laughing and screaming. The human energy is just a tremendous part of it.” 📹 by @EditorSwindler #PolarPlunge #Manzanita #OregonCoast