Come for the cold, stay for the warmth.

A growing number of people are looking to take the plunge in Seattle’s icy cold water, from Puget Sound to Lake Washington, for health benefits, socialization and, dare I say, relaxation.

Cold-water therapy, or cold-water immersion, has been a common practice in many Scandinavian countries for centuries, yet its popularity in North America is now having a moment. Many believe that it can help with depression, mood enhancement, physical ailments, and even provide social engagement. For these reasons, the Coldwater Collective was started in 2023 by Seattle resident Nate Garberich, who got hooked after spending time in cold water and wanted to share his experience with others.

“It’s a lot easier to go in the water when there’s other people with you,” Garberich says. He put out a call on the internet for people to join him on his year-round cold plunges around Seattle and, to his surprise, people started showing up. Soon, the group became more than just about getting in the water. Potlucks began, and people started to build friendships because of their shared challenge.

In September, the Coldwater Collective will meet at 10:30 a.m. Saturdays at Golden Gardens and Sundays at Alki Beach. It’s open to anyone, newbies included. “From now until November it’s a great time to start because the weather is pretty decent,” Garberich says. “The Puget Sound is cold but not really brutal.”

One way that Garberich has made the cold easier to bear is by bringing his mobile sauna, called the Bywater Sauna, which he hauls to as many of the cold water meet-ups as possible (depending on permitting). It’s just another way that Garberich, and other cold-blooded souls, are finding community around the Puget Sound.