Polar Plunge ushers in a mild New Year’s Day
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Compared to last year’s snow banks, ice chunks and 4-degree air temperature at the Flathead River, this year’s Polar Plunge at Riverside Park was balmy. The temperature on the First Citizen’s Bank sign read 31 degrees, and the water was 40 degrees, according to Dave Bull. Bull and his wife Connie have headed up the plunge for the past 20 years.
“You have to snap pictures quickly because it doesn’t last very long,” Bull laughed.
About 50 people showed up for the informal Polar Plunge at 1 p.m.
One participant was 6-year-old Caitlynn Sanford, a first time plunger. While she didn’t submerge completely, Caitlynn walked into the water up to her knees.
Stony Aragon, 8, also jumped for the first time and said he enjoyed it. An adult first timer was Tom Funke, Jr., who said the water felt great. He stayed in until all the other polar bears were out of the lake.
While the method of exiting the lake is fairly standard, there are several different methods of plunging. Some people jumped off the dock, others ran in holding hands and some dashed in a little way and then dove into the water.
For it to be a true polar plunge, Anita Big Spring, a 10-year veteran, said, “You have to get your head wet or it doesn’t count.”
Following submersion, most participants sprint out of the water, then wrap up in blankets and towels and put on dry shoes to begin the new year.
