January 17, 2008 issue
A Lovely Winter Day for a Swim!
Polar Plunge 2008 at Chetola Lake January 26
Story by David Brewer
Remember that slow song from 1980s “Take My Breath Away” by the band Berlin? It might not have been written with Winterfest’s annual Polar Plunge in mind, but it more than accurately describes what happens when the human body is immersed in icy cold mountain waters in the middle of January.
On Saturday, January 26, throngs of well-wishers and a gaggle of costumed crazies preparing for their moment in the spotlight will crowd along the dock at Chetola Lake as the 10th annual Polar Plunge swings into action. The plunging will begin at 10:00 a.m.
As young and old plungers, both first timers and veterans, brave the depths, members of the Blowing Rock Fire Department and Rescue Squad will be on hand to make sure the human popsicles enter and exit the water safely.
The lake, which in past years has had a layer of ice so thick as to warrant the use of chainsaws to open up enough water for the event, will no doubt be surrounded not only by those making sure that the plungers are safe, but also by throngs of warmly bundled well-wishers who will be laughing wildly while folks ignore reason and hurdle themselves for a dip into the icy depths.
Fortunately all of these folks won’t just be jumping in a near-freezing lake for no particular reason. The plungers are sacrificing their physical comfort to raise money for various charities and organizations including the aforementioned Blowing Fire Department and Rescue Squad and Boy Scouts, among others. A minimum donation of $25 is required to make the jump.
Each plunger is also competing to win the much-coveted Golden Plunger Award for best costume.
For the jumpers however, there is an upside to freezing their butts off. Upon being extracted, plungers will be wrapped in towels and blankets and placed in front of heaters that are stationed on the dock. Plungers will then be swiftly escorted by heated van to Chetola Resort’s hot tub and heated pool to recover from wildly chattering teeth and goose bumps in comfort. Plungers can sip warm liquid refreshments while rehashing the tales of their brave plunge.
The spectators will start to gather at 9:00 a.m. with the jumping beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Chetola Lake. Obtain entry and liability forms for the 10th annual Polar Plunge by calling the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce at 828-295-7851 or click to www.blowingrockwinterfest.com.
Want To Go?
Date: Saturday, January 26
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Chetola Lake
Cost: $25 minimum donation
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