Anyone else doing one? I'm off in 20 minutes for a plunge in Lake Washington. Water temperature today is 47°, but it's a lovely sunny day (for a change) and there'll probably be upwards of 1,000 participants, judging by the past couple of years' turnout.
City of La Mirada, California (Splash Aquatics Complex). They have a Polar Plunge. The aquatics complex has a mini water park. They turn on the water slides for half of the day. The water is unheated, so you get to slide your way into the New Year. Its pretty fun. This is the third year in a row I have done this at La Mirada. Then I just stroll to the other side of the complex and swim a little 4,500 and started my Go The Distance for 2013.
I often think I'd like to try something like this--almost did one weekend, but I came down with a cold, so it didn't happen. You go in for, what, a minute or two and come out? Could be a fun adventure. In 1988, I was in an Outward Bound course that involved our jumping off a 12 foot dock into 50 degree water every morning. This actually turned out to be my favorite activity--possibly b/c it required the least amount of physical coordination or strength lol! A year later, I was vacationing at an AMC camp in northern NH. There was a hike that involved a stop at a VERY chilly pond. I was the only adult female who went into the water, and I absolutely loved it. Those tired hiking muscles got a refreshing "ice bath"--something a lot of elite runners now do (not that I've ever been an elite runner).
Jumped in my neighbor's pool at midnight last night. Approximate temp was 45 F. I wasn't able to stay in as long as I did last year (last year's temp was about 42 F). When I came up, I was gasping for air and very uncomfortable. Maybe 30 seconds at best. Last year, I stayed in for a couple minutes to make sure some of the kids jumping in didn't get into trouble. This year, I stayed on standby at the side of the pool in case of trouble.
South End Rowing Club and Dolphin Club in San Francisco had their annual New Year's Day Alcatraz Swim this morning. I believe 90 swimmers were signed up. I helped co-pilot the swim last year but am in Arizona this year so I didn't get to help out. They actually SWIM the entire 1.25 miles (give or take a few depending on the current). Believe it or not I find it quite refreshing to swim in the Bay....
Former Member
I saw a yahoo article and posted another post on OW forum before I found yours here. There are video clips on yahoo, and after watching all of them I have yet to see anyone actually swimming.
