THUNDER BAY - It doesn’t matter what kind of plan you have or how much adrenaline is pumping through your veins, when you jump into Lake Superior in the middle of April, only one thing is for sure – it’s going to be cold.
“I just plan on getting in and getting out fast,” said first time Polar Plunger, Mavis Prattes. “It’s not going to be too bad. Finlanders do it all the time.”
More than 300 people braved the chilly waters on Saturday for the annual Polar Plunge in support of Special Olympics Thunder Bay, the 2020 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games, and Roots to Harvest.
According to Warren Giertuga, event organizer, this year also included the CNIB Foundation as a fundraising partner.
“We are ecstatic that we had set out a goal this year to raise $50,000,” Giertuga said. “As of right now, we have exceeded $77,000 and we are hoping to get up to $80,000. The community has supported it in a great way.”
The recent warm weather this year also provided a new way for plungers to get out of the water as quickly as possible.
“The ice is a bit of challenge this year because it’s receded a little bit with the weather,” Giertuga said. “It’s the first year we’ve had the opportunity to actually jump in and have people walk out on their own. Every other year it’s been a hole and they had to be helped out.”
And those who jumped into the water could not wait to get out. But the actual shock to the body once you hit the water isn’t the worst part; it’s the walk down the dock.
“The water is cold and there is some anxiety that leads up to it, but there is so much excitement that builds up to the jump, and that alleviates some of the anxiety,” Giertuga said. “It’s kind of like a carnival atmosphere. They get in and it’s a good time.”
That’s not so easy to say for those making the jump, including Shelly Brown, who was back for her second year and was the top individual fundraiser, bringing in more than $2,000.
“The biggest fear is when you are running up to the water, looking into it, and then you hear go, you just jump and it’s over,” she said. ”By the time you get your head out of the water, you just kind of gasp, and then you are out. It’s really a feeling of accomplishment when you’re done.”
This year also saw the return of the Cool Schools, with students from elementary and secondary schools earning a lot of bragging rights.
“I just wanted to do it for Special Olympics,” said Grade 8 Valley Central student, Alexa Tackney. “I’m nervous. I’ve never done it before. It’s going to be cold.
Grade 4 student, Lily Gillien, was already feeling the chills before even getting near the water, but it’s all worth it.
“I’m kind of cold,” she said. “It’s going to be cold. I just thought it would be fun and for a good cause.”
There are many reasons for taking a late winter plunge into what is already a notoriously cold lake, be it supporting local charities and wanting to walk away saying: I did it, because not many people can or want to.
“It’s something I’ve thought about doing and I’m not getting any younger, so I might as well do it now,” Prattes said. “It’s fun and you meet the nicest people.”
