The dive was previously held earlier in the day but was moved, last year to early afternoon in order to accommodate those who have other activities to attend on New Year’s Day.
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“We are arranging for a bonfire as well as coffee and hot chocolate”, said Johnson. Not too shabby, I’d say.
In Nova Scotia, more than 130 people – some in colourful costumes – gathered to leap from a wharf under the watchful eye of members of the local fire department for the 22nd annual polar bear dip in Herring Cove. It was their third year taking the plunge.
“And every year, the event grows. I could hardly breathe”, she said later. “I didn’t want to get my hair wet, because once you get your hair wet, you’re frozen”.
The air was about 24 degrees while the water was nearly double that at 41 degrees. “The quicker you can get in and out of that water the better you are”. Bishop, from London, now lives in Seattle and thought the Polar Bear Plunge would be fun.
“Well, this is my first time doing it”, said Carol Kissinger, of Egg Harbor Township.
The First wave of people gets in at 2 p.m. For safety reasons, only four people enter the water at a time.
Linda Moore of University Place said she has jumped every year since 1984 as “kind of like a self-baptism”.
Vince Catricala and Victoria Maniscalco of Clifton Park were making their first-ever New Year’s Day swim together. Volunteers collected money and clothing/item donations for St. Vincent de Paul while serving breakfast goodies and warm drinks. The following year, he and a friend traveled to Vancouver, B.C., to take part in a plunge there, but realized that made for a very long and cold drive home.
“The crowd is still building and it is a gorgeous day”, she said. He said he knows he’s had enough when he begins having difficulty moving in the water.
Braff said the lake’s high water level is also limiting access for Polar Bear Plunge participants and spectators.
“It was just a spur-of-the-moment thing”, Catricala said. “I love that idea”.
As they ran, the beach looked like a scene from the movie Jaws in reverse.
As a bit of a Plunge celebrity, Mitchell still goes in, but does it on the down low.
So, I chose to go in with them.
For those driving, parking will be available at Canal Beach and at the Western Forest Products APD mill parking lot closest to the beach.
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You can bet your New Year’s resolutions he will.
