Forum and Classifieds

My Ballard Forum » Open Forum

Polar Bear Plunge 2013 at Golden Gardens?

(22 posts)

Started 4 months ago by lakreitz
Latest reply from lakreitz

lakreitz

offline
Member

Anyone heard if this will happen at Golden Gardens on the 1st? Can't find a mention anywhere. I enjoyed it last year - though the beautiful, calm & clear day probably helped the enjoyment factor.

Posted 4 months ago #
Nehalennia

offline
Member

Official or not, I will take the plunge at noon!

Posted 4 months ago #
BallardP

offline
Member

1:00 at the Ballard Elks
http://ballardelks.org/ai1ec_event/pledge-or-plunge/?instance_id=15946

Posted 4 months ago #
Cate

online
Member

With all due respect to the Elks, is there going to be a family-friendly, pooch friendly, not having to gather pledges or be male (judging by the photo & article) Polar Bear Dip at Golden Gardens? Didn't you win for best costume last year Silver? Do you know if one is up this year?

Posted 4 months ago #
great idea

offline
Member

don't fret...

I'm sure Meghan Walker will post something on January 1st at 8am telling us all when/where it'll happen.

I would just go to Golden Gardens early and beat the crowd myself.

Posted 4 months ago #
teigyr

offline
Member

Shrinkage! And I'm sure Meghan will link to it if any other site does. Does she actually ever write anything? I know there's the resolution run but that's at Lake Washington.

I really can't think of anything other than Seinfeld, sorry for those male types out there :)

Posted 4 months ago #
Silver

offline
Member

This time I'll wear the beer swimsuit!

Posted 4 months ago #
lakreitz

offline
Member

Silver - not sure if you could improve upon the skelton suit.

Posted 4 months ago #
lakreitz

offline
Member

Ballard - I saw the Elks link, but I liked the Golden Gardens location. A few people disposed of Christmas trees and this was festive... and a little scary to see how fast those things go up.
I reviewed my photos and video from last year and it looks like Lock &Keel gave the prizes (nothing at their website). And also, the big plunge happened at 11. Here's A few pix from last year:

https://picasaweb.google.com/112224245971024074478/PolarBearPlunge?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCM709aOpuuSv9wE&feat=directlink

Posted 4 months ago #
MrINTJ

offline
Member

Hoooooo hooor Silver.
Family friendly for all those not ashamed of their own bodies. I plunge bear ass as I should. Trying to get my wife to join us this year. Does anyone have a i Mastiff or St Bernard who might want to be our mascot this year?

Posted 4 months ago #
Cate

online
Member

"bear ass" - as in covered with fur?

Posted 4 months ago #
BuffaloHawk

offline
Member

Color me impressed !! We finally get advance notice on a neighborhood event.

http://www.myballard.com/2012/12/28/take-the-polar-bear-plunge-on-new-years-day/

On New Year’s Day, some brave people will be welcoming in the new year with a plunge in the Puget Sound at Golden Gardens. It’s called the Polar Bear Plunge, started four years ago by Ballard resident Rick Sandvig. The brave polar bears will be out at 11 a.m. this year.

Posted 4 months ago #
MrINTJ

offline
Member

ho ho ho, yes deer Cate. I do have quite a bit of hair on my ass, but it is still brown.

Posted 4 months ago #
lakreitz

offline
Member

Today!
A little colder than last year, but fortunately no driving wind and rain blowing in from the south. Lock & Keel (the sponsor) promises a free hot beverage for any 'plungers'. Though, there will probably be a few folks getting rid of Christmas trees in the fire pits which will provide a little warmth beach-side.

Posted 4 months ago #
MrINTJ

offline
Member

Did any of you see me with my father, Father Christmas? Ho Ho Ho to all! Happy New Year. Congratulations oh gorgeous golden one.

Posted 4 months ago #
Silver

offline
Member

That was a BLAST!

I think I saw Father Crristmas. Did you get wet MrINTJ?

Congratulations to all of the brave Polar Bears and their support crews!

Posted 4 months ago #
Compass Rose

offline
Member

I can't believe anyone does this. I don't get into the water unless it's over 80 degrees. My biggest fear while sailing is not that I'll drown, but that I'll fall overboard and come in contact with that freezing water (which would likely be followed by drowning).

You people are crazy. Or super badass. Or both.

Posted 4 months ago #
SmartsyArtsy

offline
Member

Good for you for having fun like that Silver, Sorry I missed you lakereitz.

CR, it is actually warmer in the wate this time of year, especially if you relax into it.

As I already told Silver, I was surprised that so many were already leaving at 11:05! Next year, it would be great to organize a soup-in to warm up the swimmers, er, plungers, er run-ins. I stayed for quite a while, taking in the scene and sun, and am very amused by the families showing up hauling in their trees.

Posted 4 months ago #
Compass Rose

offline
Member

Relax into water that cold? There's no way.

I actually got my PADI certification in the Northwest, in November a long time ago. I can't believe I used to dive in these waters. I'd never do that now without a drysuit.

Posted 4 months ago #
lakreitz

offline
Member

SA - Congratulations making the plunge. Sorry I didn't know you would be there, otherwise I'd have looked for you. Silver, with her distinctive scarf, was easy to spot. Next year...hot beverages immediately afterwards. I like that idea.

CR - I'm a water wimp too. The plunge is best done with a group IMO. The organizer, Rick, said people were showing up early and heading in for a plunge. Not something I'd do without a lot of group support. The hardest part me was standing on the cold sand before-hand. Mr. L said he would not take pictures of me unless I actually swam. So, I paddled around out there while he tried to find me in the crowd.....and while I was swimming, I thought that it really wasn't that bad in the water.

Posted 4 months ago #
SmartsyArtsy

offline
Member

Lakereitz, you mis understood. I haven't participated in winter swimming since Feb 14 2004 in Burlington VT!! Good for you to have some fun in the cold water! I had 15 years of it which began with the Coney Island Polar Bear Club, when we swam just about every Sunday. We always had a big pot of soup or chili going in the clubhouse, so let's remember to try and incorporate that next year. I volunteer to be pot watcher.

Posted 4 months ago #
lakreitz

offline
Member

A good plan,SA.

Posted 4 months ago #