Weekly ocean dips unite strangers into a tight-knit Newport Beach crew

Every Wednesday at the break of dawn, a tight-knit group of about 40 locals gathers beneath the Newport Beach Pier—not to admire the sunrise, but to plunge into the Pacific, fully clothed, without wetsuits.

The first wave hits like a shock. Shivers race down spines; grumbles fill the air. But once they break through the surface, something shifts. The cold isn’t just endured—it’s craved. For Kyle Senicola, a lifeguard who treats the weekly ritual as a mental reset before shifts, the plunge is both punishment and reward. Science backs it up: studies link cold-water swimming to sharper moods, reduced muscle pain, and even a natural high. Yet most admit they don’t need a study to know why they keep returning.

The Magic Happens After the Swim

Once the chill is shaken off, the real tradition begins. The group migrates to a nearby deli—burritos, coffee, or a beer in hand—where conversation flows as freely as the caffeine. Dougie Mann, one of the founders, calls it a “random little snowball” of people who somehow feel like family. Time stretches in ways that defy explanation. Members disappear for months—sometimes years—only to return with new stories: a baby born, a tan deepened, a life changed.

From Humble Beginnings to a Movement

Pier Club started in 2013 as a loose idea between friends, including water polo coach Ross Sinclair. What began as a casual hangout grew slowly, then suddenly exploded. Today, the crowd spans generations: kids learning to navigate the waves, seasoned athletes, and everyone in between. Mann points out the irony—neighbors living just miles apart might never cross paths without this shared ritual.

But Pier Club isn’t just about the swim. When Lisa Schultz couldn’t join due to an injury, the group visited her regularly, keeping her spirits alive. For Senicola and his partner, the club was where they met. It’s a space where no one is left behind, regardless of skill. Even F1 driver Valtteri Bottas and Olympic swimmer Aaron Peirsol have joined the mix.

More Than a Club—An Anchor

At its heart, Pier Club isn’t about athletic triumph. It’s about belonging. As Mann puts it: “If you live near the ocean and never take the plunge, you’re missing out on one of Southern California’s best experiences.”

And so, every Wednesday, they return—cold, exhilarated, and a little more connected than before.