Thousands ring in the new year with annual Dolphin Dip

SURF CITY, NC (WWAY) — For 14 years folks have been traveling to Surf City on the 1st of the year to take part in the annual Dolphin Dip, and this year was no exception.

The beach was packed with people ready to start off 2016 with a dip in the Atlantic Ocean.

For Dolphin Dip founder Brian Moxley, his favorite part of the annual event is going swimming right at the stroke of noon.

Organizers said the water temperature was in the mid 60’s but the air temperature was around 55, and after spring-like heat earlier this week, that seemed pretty chilly.

“The colder the better. I’m in favor of one day of cold and that’s today,” said Moxley.

For Don Messer, traveling to Surf City from Belews Creek has become a yearly tradition and he said to him the water is always cold, no matter the weather.

“I’ve been out here and it’s been real cold and the water is absolutely freezing and then I’ve been out here where it’s been nice and sunny and the water is still freezing. So any way you look at it the water is freezing. And if anybody tells you it’s not freezing they’re lying to you,” said Messer.

But the temperature did not stop the crowds.