What to buy for a New Year's Dive

A New Year's Dive needs more than swimwear and a table of snacks. Participants will need warm drinks, soup, a place to change and clear information before and after entering the water. Your shopping list also needs to cover cold-water safety, crowd control and a registration point. Use the quantities in the plan as your starting point, then adjust food, drinks and serving items to the number of registered swimmers and volunteers.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 30
Changing boothsqty 4
Coat racksqty 4

Equipment

Coolersqty 6
Kettlesqty 3
Soup kettlesqty 3
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Portable speaker
Megaphonesqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Soup bowlsqty 120
Platesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 120
Thermos flasksqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef and serving knivesqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 6
Serving traysqty 8
Food warmersqty 4

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Life ringsqty 3
Thermal blanketsqty 20
Reflective vestsqty 12
Flashlightsqty 6
Crowd control barriersqty 12
Conesqty 20

Information

Registration desk
Information boardsqty 6
Route arrowsqty 10
Waterproof markersqty 6
Clipboardsqty 4
Wristbandsqty 150

Decorations

New Year flagsqty 12
Buntingqty 6

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 6
Work lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Hand brushes and dustpanqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 6 boxes
- Cocoa powder - 2 packs
- Sugar - 3 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Coffee cream - 4 tubs
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Hot chocolate - 10 liter
- Tomato soup - 20 liters
- Vegetable soup - 15 liters
- Gluten-free soup - 5 liters
- Baguettes - 25 pieces
- Wholemeal loaves - 12 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Herb butter - 2 kilo
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Hummus - 3 kilos
- Jam - 3 jars
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Vegan spread - 2 kilos
- Mini sausages - 5 kilos
- Vegetarian mini sausages - 3 kg
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snack mix - 6 bags
- Christmas loaf - 8 pieces
- Apple fritters - 120 pieces
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 15 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Alcohol-free beer - 6 crates
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, including both cold and hot options. Chill only the drinks that should be served cold and keep extra hot water available for tea or other hot drinks.
Allow one bowl of soup per swimmer, plus roughly 10% extra for volunteers and unexpected guests. Buy enough bread or other accompaniments to serve alongside it, and arrange serving spoons and ladles before the event day.
Provide one reusable cup per attendee and volunteer, with at least 10% spare. Soup bowls, plates and cutlery are easy to underestimate when people return from the water hungry and cold.
Set up changing booths and coat racks before participants arrive, not after the dive. Count one practical changing space for every 8 to 10 people expected to change at the same time, unless the venue provides fixed facilities.
Keep thermal blankets, first aid kits, life rings, reflective vests, flashlights, barriers and cones together at the safety point. Test extension cords, power strips, kettles and soup kettles at least one day beforehand, especially if tents or outdoor power are involved.

Frequently asked questions

What food do I need for a New Year's Dive?: Plan one serving of soup per swimmer, with around 10% extra for volunteers and late arrivals. Add bread or another simple accompaniment, and prepare enough bowls, plates, cutlery and serving utensils for everyone who may eat.
How many drinks should I buy per person for a New Year's Dive?: Allow two to three drinks per person during the first hour, including hot drinks after the swim. Add at least 10% spare capacity so volunteers and people who stay longer are covered.
What safety equipment is needed for a New Year's Dive?: Have first aid kits, life rings, thermal blankets, reflective vests, flashlights, crowd control barriers and cones ready before registration opens. Put the equipment at a clearly marked safety point and check it on the day before participants enter the water.
When should I buy supplies for a New Year's Dive?: Buy durable equipment, disposable or reusable tableware and non-perishable food at least 3 to 7 days beforehand. Buy fresh food and chill drinks no later than the day before, after confirming the final registration number.

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