A record number of people made it a point to start the new year with a bang.

Or rather, a splash.

The fifth annual Sound Salmon Solutions Jump In for Salmon Polar Bear Plunge was the biggest yet for the nonprofit organization in Mukilteo.

Fifty-seven people signed up to take part Saturday, Jan. 8, at Lighthouse Park.

Cindy and Caitlin Pennington, a mother and daughter from Mukilteo, were riding the ferry two weeks ago talking about how cold the water looked.

"I said, 'We should do a plunge. Why not?'" Caitlin said.

The two joined about five other hearty souls, who shortly after 11 a.m. took...