March 28, 2024 #1 Local News, Forum, Information and Event Source for Venice Beach, California.

New Year’s Day Tradition: Penguin Club Ocean Swim returns to Venice Beach

Give your New Year a cool fresh start with an ocean swim on Venice Beach this Thursday, Jan. 1!

Join the Penguin Club at 11 am to sign up for the free event; the swim begins at noon where Venice Blvd. meets the ocean.

Free snacks and hot drinks will be provided courtesy of the Sidewalk Café.

Commemorative t-shirts will be available for $10.

The Penguin Club hosts its annual Ocean Swim on New Year's Day in Venice. Photo Courtesy venicepaparazzi.com
The Penguin Club hosts its annual Ocean Swim on New Year’s Day in Venice. Photos Courtesy venicepaparazzi.com

Southern California Aquatics (SCAQ), a Masters swim club, now runs the event.

Cecelia Kilger, a Los Angeles transplant, began the tradition in 1952.

As a child, she swam in the frigid waters of Lake Michigan.

After getting caught in the surf off Playa del Rey, she got a tip to try the Venice Beach backwater area.

There, she found other swimmers, and they met up throughout the year.

One lifeguard suggested they start an informal club, and in 1960, the group became official.

Since then, the “Penguin Club” has kicked off the year with an ocean swim.

It is dedicated to Cecelia, who died at the age of 94 in 2002.

Participants can choose between courses: one for people who swim for fun, and another for those who want to compete.

Everyone will receive a certificate, but the fastest male and female swimmer in the competition course are crowned prince and princess.

Longtime event organizer Mary McGurk selects the king and queen from the amateur course.

For more information, visit http://www.swim.net/scaq.cfm.

in Opinion
Related Posts

New Program Can Help Protect Southern California Homes in the Event of an Earthquake

May 13, 2023

May 13, 2023

Residents Have Until May 31 To Apply For Seismic Retrofit Grants By Janiele Maffei, Chief Mitigation Officer for the California...

Venice Shorts: Tree Trimming Underway Thanks to the Vsa!

April 28, 2023

April 28, 2023

VSA Has Taken up the Task of Trimming Italian Stone Pine Trees. By Nick Antonicello Following the recent toppling of...

Venice Stakeholders Association’s Comments on Traci Park’s Broken Bridge Housing Promise

April 24, 2023

April 24, 2023

By Marc Ryavec I have been struggling with how to address the phenomenon that someone I and many others in...

Column: Tired OF Declinists? Some Enduring New California Positives

April 18, 2023

April 18, 2023

By Thomas D. Elias California has taken a beating lately, with (mostly Republican) governors of other states blasting many aspects...

Venice Shorts: The South Venice Blvd Encampment, Is It a Candidate for a City Cleanup?

April 14, 2023

April 14, 2023

One of the last of the large encampments closest to the beach, Venetians are hopeful help is on the way!...

Venice Shorts: Averill Defeats Tyminski 63%-37% to Become President of Venice Neighborhood Council

April 3, 2023

April 3, 2023

In second bid for top spot, surfer/photographer Brian Averill coasts to an easy win against Venice attorney and outgoing Vice-President...

Column: Install at LAX Tiny Homes From The State Grant

March 31, 2023

March 31, 2023

By Clark Brown On March 16  Governor Newsom announced in Sacramento, his first stop on his State of the State of...

Venice Shorts: Night & Day – Flower & Lincoln Transformed, Back in Business

March 28, 2023

March 28, 2023

By Nick Antonicello In what was a Venice eyesore just a few months ago has been transformed into a place...

Opinion: Please Vote for Daffodil Tyminski

March 25, 2023

March 25, 2023

This is Tom Williams, your neighbor at 1011 Main Street.  With the upcoming VNC election this Sunday, I wanted to reach...

Venice Shorts: Popular Local Jim Robb Seeks Vp Slot, Endorses Brian Averill for President of the VNC!

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

By Nick Antonicello  VENICE – In a twist of events longtime Community Officer Jim Robb will now be seeking the...

Venice Shorts: Tabor Family Legacy Amara Hordt Seeks Seat on VNC This Sunday!

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

Local realtor looks to follow a family legacy of engaged community involvement here in Venice By Nick Antonicello VENICE –...

Venice Shorts: Erica Moore, A Cheerleader For Venice In Her Run For Community Officer!

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

By Nick Antonicello VENICE – Local caterer Erica Moore is making a second run for the Venice Neighborhood Council, but...

Venice Shorts: Running Unopposed, Nico Ruderman’s Deep Dive Into Politics and Government Continues!

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

By Nick Antonicello VENICE – It has been an interesting two years of political action, involvement and advocacy for Nico...

Venice Shorts: “V” for Venice Volunteer

March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023

Media professional, local business owner and Dad, Eric Alan Donaldson is defined by his volunteerism and love of Venice. By...

Deborah Keaton, a Consensus Building Candidate for VNC Community Officer!

March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023

Creative director, global brander and private business owner seeks a general consensus on what’s best for Venice moving forward.  By...