4 minute(s) de lecture
There is a unique kind of electricity that fills the air when a group of people gather to do something challenging together. On Saturday, March 7th, 2026, that energy was absolutely unmatched at Willard Beach in South Portland, Maine, as the 6th Annual Women’s Wave officially made history.
Over 1,600 participants, women and those comfortable centring the experiences of women, linked arms and charged into the freezing Atlantic Ocean. It was the nation's largest and coldest International Women's Day dip to date, and the sheer stoke on the beach was unbelievable.
Facing the Elements, Together
Dippers travelled from as far as Oregon and California to join the local Maine community. At exactly 12:30 PM, the massive crowd faced the elements and plunged into the bracing 37°F (approx. 2.7°C) waters. Whether they were seasoned cold-water veterans or taking the icy plunge for the very first time, they did it laughing, holding hands, and cheering each other on.
It was a powerful reminder of why we love the cold water community: it pushes you out of your comfort zone, but it always catches you when you take the leap.
"We knew this year was going to be massive; you could feel the electricity as people started arriving on the beach. The joy of cold water is unmatched; it makes you feel fully alive. When you stand next to thousands of women, you can do absolutely anything, no matter how hard it is."
Kelsy Hartley (“Ebb”), Co-Founder, Two Maine Mermaids
From a Small Ripple to a Massive Wave
Hosted by the incredible grassroots community organisers at Two Maine Mermaids, the Women’s Wave has grown exponentially. What started as an intimate gathering of 75 dippers back in 2020 has evolved into a massive, week-long celebration of community, resilience, and female empowerment.
The lead-up to the weekend was packed with momentum-building events that brought the Portland community together, including:
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A Women's Self Defence Seminar at The Academy.
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Craft workshops and a Minute for Mom kit-building evening for Maine Needs.
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A Women in the Wild short film screening presented by the Maine Outdoor Film Festival at L.L.Bean.
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A massive kick-off party at Austin Street Brewery to get the stoke high before plunge day.
“The Women’s Wave has always been about more than a cold dip—it’s about what happens when women choose to stand up and do something uncomfortable side by side. Today, thousands of women showed up, faced the Atlantic, and reminded each other what we’re capable of.”
Caitlin Hopkins (“Flow”), Co-Founder, Two Maine Mermaids
The Post-Swim High
On the day of the dip, Willard Beach came alive. It was a sea of colourful swimsuits, biodegradable sparkle stations, and waving flags. A HotWorx warmth station and an energising hype crew from Hustle & Flow kept the adrenaline pumping before the countdown.
This year also saw the launch of the Women’s Wave Passport on the Vibemap app, encouraging dippers to explore local businesses and keep the positive momentum going long after they had dried off and warmed up.
At Dryrobe®, we know firsthand the transformative power of getting outdoors and embracing the cold. We were incredibly proud to sponsor this year's Women's Wave alongside other great local partners like Austin Street Brewery and Finding Our Voices. Helping this unstoppable community get warm after facing the icy Atlantic was an absolute honour.
Feeling inspired to take the plunge? To learn more about upcoming events, get cold-water dipping tips, and find out how to get involved with this incredible community, visit the Two Maine Mermaids website and follow them on Instagram.
See you in the water!
Published on April 22, 2026
