Making a splash for museum

Start the new year with a dip into the Pacific Ocean at Huntington Beach’s 10th annual Surf City Splash on New Year’s Day at the pier.

Hundreds of people will brave the cold water Friday to raise money for the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum by running, jumping, diving or walking into the water.

“It’s a very unique and very fun experience, and it’s good for the young and the old,” said Natalie Kotsch, the founder of the museum.

The museum is in the heart of downtown and showcases more than 100 years of surfing history, much of it local.

Founder and organizer Lee Love started the tradition after seeing a local boy handing out fliers for his church’s Polar Plunge.

Love said she thought it would be an unique way to start out the year — washing away the previous year.

“It’s a fun way to start off the year with a whole bunch of people,” Love said.

More than 400 people participated in the Splash and as many watched last year. It raised about $15,000 for the Lions Club’s Canine Companions for Independence.

This year, the money raised will go toward moving the museum into a bigger building. The museum is on Olive Avenue in a building too small for all its artifacts, Kotsch said.

“It’s quite an ambitious thing, but it’s got to be done,” Love said.

The museum has to rotate its collection of displays, artifacts and information because it doesn’t have enough room to showcase everything at one time, Kotsch said.

“We’re known the world over, and we really need to have a spot that fits our reputation,” she said.

Canadian-born Kotsch said she is fascinated by surfing, even though she doesn’t surf herself — the water is too cold.

The water is expected to be 60 degrees and the weather a partly cloudy and 69 degrees Friday, according to the National Weather Channel.

“You just run in and say you did it,” Love said. “It’s a great pancake breakfast, and the Splash is just a blast.”

Recognition will be given out to participants — certificates of sanity to those staying dry and certificates of lion-heartedness for those that take the plunge.

Certificates will also be given out for the oldest and youngest participants and for the most creative costume. Residents have come in pirate costumes, Speedos and long beards, with the year painted onto their bodies and in evening gowns and boas.

Before residents take the plunge, there will be a pre-Splash breakfast from 9 to 11:30 a.m. by the Lions Club of Huntington Beach. The club will be serving an all-you-can-eat pancake bar for a $5 donation.

The money raised from breakfast will go to the Lions Club.

Registration is free, but a minimum donation of $10 is encouraged. Residents can register at www.hbsurfcity splash.com or on the day from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

“Hopefully people will really get into the spirit of it all and really help out,” Love said.

If You Go

What: Surf City Splash

When: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. pancake breakfast, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. late registration and the countdown to the plunge at noon.

Where: Huntington Beach Pier. Breakfast is at Pier Plaza.

Cost: $5 donation for breakfast. The Splash is free, but a minimum $10 donation is encouraged.

Information: www.hbsurfcitysplash.com