Go Jump in the Lake this New Year's Day!

A polar bear plunge is an event held during the winter where participants enter a body of water despite the low temperature. Sometimes they are held to raise money for a charitable organization, sometimes they are held for no more reason than to celebrate the New Year by doing something out of the ordinary. Jumping into frigid water in the middle of winter qualifies in my book as something ‘out of the ordinary!”

Plunges are now held throughout the United States. Boston is recognized as being among the earliest known US event (1904) whereas annual events in Seattle had begun as early as 1993.  And while the “Plungapalooza”  event in Maryland is considered the largest polar bear plunge in the United States with an estimated 12,000 people participating our event at Angle Lake on New Year’s Day is still relatively new (est. 2009) and quite small in comparison (10 swimmers) but we still hold hope that someday we’ll grow to tens upon tens entering the water! (By our calculation that would make anything more than twenty participants a pretty darn big deal!)

Angle Lake Manor Club Beach

3417 So 194th

Sunday, January 1st, 2012

Gather at 11:30 am – Plunge at 12:00 pm Sharp

Regardless whether you have the ‘courage’ to enter the water or whether you join to cheer on the participants (or gawk and ridicule them) past events have proven to be a great time and a great way to ring in the New Year.  

We are also excited to announce Mike’s Community Cup, a local family owned coffee house as a new commercial partner this year who will be supplying delicious steaming hot coffee and warm cocoa for all who attend.  Mike’s Community Cup located at the triangular juncture of Military Road and 42nd Avenue is well known in SeaTac as a community centered business that not only contributes to the vibrancy of the City by providing outstanding food, beverages and excellent service, but also finds creative ways to provide financial support to many non-profit youth services within our community.  Please help us express appreciation for their support of the Polar Bear Plunge and the many other fine works they perform in our city by visiting them often.

Hints and Safety Tips:

• Dress Up in costume over your swimsuit to add whimsy
• Come Early. Parking is limited. Carpool or come by boat.
• Anyone with heart problems should consult your health care provider before participating. If you don't participate, you’re still welcome to join us and watch.
• Do Not Drink. Alcohol does not warm you up. It accelerates hypothermia.
• Do Not Stay In The Water Longer Than 15 Minutes. Body heat is lost 25 times faster in the water than in air.
• Keep Your Outer Clothing On until swim time and remove any wet clothing before getting back into dry clothes.
• Have Fun!

Invite your friends to join us via our Facebook Events Page.