Polar Bear Plunge jumpstarts new year
(Photo by CAROLINE LOBSINGER) A young Polar Bear Plunge participant leads from the dock into a freezing Lake Pend Oreille on Wednesday. The event, co-sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 111 and the city of Sandpoint Parks & Rec Department, saw 102 people jump in the lake to kick off the new year.
(Photo by CAROLINE LOBSINGER) A young Polar Bear Plunge participant gets a hug and a warm towel after taking part in Wednesday’s event.
(Photo by CAROLINE LOBSINGER) Participants jump off the dock into a freezing Lake Pend Oreille during the 2020 Polar Bear Plunge on Wednesday.
(Photo by CAROLINE LOBSINGER) Participants jump off the dock into a freezing Lake Pend Oreille during the 2020 Polar Bear Plunge on Wednesday.
(Photo by CAROLINE LOBSINGER) Participants leap from the dock into a freezing Lake Pend Oreille during the 2020 Polar Bear Plunge on Wednesday.
(Photo by CAROLINE LOBSINGER) A Polar Bear Plunge participant tucks into a canonball as she jumps off the dock into a freezing Lake Pend Oreille during Wednesday’s kick off to the new year.
(Photo by CAROLINE LOBSINGER) Participants jump off the dock into a freezing Lake Pend Oreille during the 2020 Polar Bear Plunge on Wednesday.
(Photo by CAROLINE LOBSINGER) A participant grimaces in preparation as he jumps off the dock into a freezing Lake Pend Oreille during the 2020 Polar Bear Plunge on Wednesday.
(Photo by CAROLINE LOBSINGER) Jackie Allard and Gail Bostock bring their New Year’s Day style to the Polar Bear Plunge as they get ready to take part in the annual event.
(Photo by CAROLINE LOBSINGER) A participant leaps from the dock during the 2020 Polar Bear Plunge on Wednesday.
(Photo by CAROLINE LOBSINGER) Participants jump off the dock into a freezing Lake Pend Oreille during the 2020 Polar Bear Plunge on Wednesday.
(Photo by CAROLINE LOBSINGER) A Polar Bear Plunge participant gets ready to hit the water during Wednesday’s event.
(Photo by CAROLINE LOBSINGER) A Polar Bear Plunge participant reacts to the cold of a freezing Lake Pend Oreille during Wednesday’s event.
(Photo by CAROLINE LOBSINGER) Ellen Weissman, taking part in her 18th Polar Bear Plunge leaps from the dock during Wednesday’s event as Boy Scout Troop 111’s scout leader Phil Voelz cheers her on.
(Photo by CAROLINE LOBSINGER)Ellen Weissman, taking part in her 18th Polar Bear Plunge leaps from the dock during Wednesday’s event as Boy Scout Troop 111’s scout leader Phil Voelz cheers her on.
Boy Scout Troop 111 scout leader Phil Voelz drinks a cup of coffee to warm up after taking part in a past Polar Bear Plunge.
(Photo by CAROLINE LOBSINGER)Participants jump off the dock into a freezing Lake Pend Oreille during the 2020 Polar Bear Plunge on Wednesday.
(Photo by CAROLINE LOBSINGER)A resident captures the action on his cellphone during Wednesday’s annual Polar Bear Plunge.
(Photo by CAROLINE LOBSINGER)A group poses for a photo at the end of Wednesday’s Polar Bear Plunge.
SANDPOINT — Instead of being snuggled inside on the first day of the year, more than 100 area residents took a literal jump into the new year to kick off 2020.
By the end of the Polar Bear Plunge — held on Jan. 1 as a cooperative event by Boy Scout Troop 111 and the city of Sandpoint’s Parks & Recreation Department, 102 people officially took part in the event.
“For the troop, it’s all about building a tradition to do it,” said Troop 111 scout leader Phil Voelz. “We are the second oldest troop in the state of Idaho, which is cool. This is a way to get the community involved in our troop.”
Besides, Voelz said, it’s a lot of fun and a great way to start the year, noting that 15 scouts took part in the Polar Bear Plunge along with parents and other family members.
“It’s becoming a community event,” Voelz said.
The troop’s senior patrol leader, Cole Dorman, who has taken part in the jump the past three years, said jumping into the lake on the first day of the year is, like you would expect, cold.
“Once you get out, it’s like 15 seconds of terribleness,” he said — as Voelz interjected, “Pure freezing-ness.” — “and after that it sort of gets better.”
All of the scouts said the jump is never easy but is always fun. However, they did admit they prefer it when there is a thick layer of ice on the lake because it seems like more of an event.
“It’s still crazy like this but that seems a little more like you’re a polar bear when there’s ice,” Voelz laughed.
For plunge veteran Ellen Weissman, this year’s jump is her 18th year, including a jump into the ocean during a visit to California to visit her brother.
“It’s exhilarating,” she said of why she takes part in the annual event. “It’s a great way to start the new year. You just let go, it’s like a baptism, I think.”
The first five were probably the hardest, with the cold and the jump and nerves like “pins and needles.”
“It was so freaking cold, so cold,” she added. “Today it’s so mild, I don’t know what the water temperature but I’ve never known what the water temperature is but now I know what’s coming so it’s easier although I almost chickened out a few times.”
Having the jump as an official event and co-sponsored by the city and Boy Scouts is a great thing and helps encourage more people to take part, Weissman said.
“Having it be an official event helps because there were just 10 of us one year and it was, ‘Oh boy,’” she added.
It also doesn’t hurt, Weissman said, to have things to offset the chill of the lake and the cold.
“Now it’s really cush because they have hot chocolate and warmth right away so that’s real cool,” she added.
Everyone should take part in the plunge at least once, Weissman said. Her first jump stems from her daughter’s eighth birthday party and a decision to have a slumber party and then take part in the jump the next day.
“She’s never done it again but she can say she’s done it,” Weissman said, then laughs. “I think everyone needs to try it at least once.”
Dover Bay resident Gail Bostock agreed. Bostock, who was taking part in her 15th — and 10th consecutive — Polar Bear Plunge, agreed.
“It’s just fun,” said said. “It’s a challenge and it’s scary — every single year.”
Bostock, who grew up in the area and raised her family here, was at the event with her daughter-in-law, Jackie Allard. The pair said they decided to do the jump as a way to kickstart the year’s health, fitness and wellbeing.
“There are cultures that do this on a regular basis for wellness,” Bostock said. “That’s why I do it. And it’s so fun.”