There are many reasons one might choose to start the year by jumping into the Olalla Lagoon for its annual Polar Bear Plunge.

For Olalla resident Wendy Simmons, that reason was simple — it seemed like the best way to mark her 50th birthday, which she celebrated last November.

And since this was her fourth time doing the plunge, Simmons was prepared. Instead of stripping down to a bathing suit, she would be facing the cold water in her flannel pajamas.

“As soon as I’m done here, I’m taking a nice, hot shower,” said Simmons, who was joined at the lagoon by her husband and her 7-year-old daughter Jamie, who said it was too cold for her to jump.

Kitsap County Coroner Greg Sandstrom also began the year at the plunge, though he opted to run into the water instead of jumping from the bridge over the lagoon.

Sandstrom said his job definitely inspires him to live life to the fullest, but it was also his girlfriend Julie Tappero who inspired him to start the year with a splash.

Tappero, a former Olalla resident who now lives in Gig Harbor, said she has been jumping at the plunge for 10 years.

“My theory is, if I can do this, then I can do anything the rest of the year,” she said.

After leaving the lagoon, jumpers can warm up by the large bonfire on the beach before heading over to Al’s Grocery to get a certificate for their achievement.

Mari Berman, along with her son Zak, has been handing out certificates and selling sweatshirts marking the event for seven years.

But Berman won’t hand out a certificate to just anyone.

“You have to be wet,” Berman said, explaining that being a bit wet from the light rain Friday was not enough — you had to be soaked. “Besides, we have our spies out there.”