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The 2nd Group of Plungers Prepare Themselves for Cold Water Shock
Saturday, January 18, 2003
With a large crowd of on lookers urging them on, twenty-four brave swimmers took the therapeutic plunge into the chilly waters of Lake Powell at noon today for the Page-Lake Powell Polar Bear Plunge. Turnout was large enough this year that Plungers were divided into two groups to double the photo opportunities and make for safe cold water entry.
"Jumping into cold water can produce an involuntary reflex gasp reaction and we wanted to make sure each swimmer would have room to gather themselves in the water before the adrenaline and frantic swim to the shoreline kicked in", said Page Polar Bear Club Director, Paul Ostapuk.
Polar Bear Princess Pat Dineyazhe, who reigned over the 2nd annual event, placed colorful Hawaiian leis around the neck of each Polar Bear participant during the Pre-Plunge Beach Party and later asked the groups if they had any last minute changes to their wills before jumping in. The age of participants ranged from 7 to 64 years old and plungers gave home addresses from Page, Kayenta, Cedar City, Illinois and California.
Cold water ice swimming also known by the Finnish word "Avantouniti" may sound like masochism taken to ridiculous lengths, but it is becoming increasingly popular as a fitness event for the reason that it stimulates the circulatory system. "Cold water benefits can be very great, it can stimulate the production of hormones associated with an increased level of mental awareness and a feeling of well-being. In addition, it can release physical stresses, remove aches and pains, increase vitality, and help keep your skin looking younger", said Ostapuk. Nearly half of the participants were women.
The Page-Lake Powell Plunge is believed to be Arizona's only officially organized Polar Bear event in Arizona. Held each year the week before the Super Bowl, the event features a water football contest to predict the outcome of the real sports spectacle. For the second year in a row, the Page Polar Bear Club predicts that the AFC team (Oakland Raiders) will prevail in the big game on January 27th. Last year, the Page Polar Bear Club successfully predicted New England's huge upset Super Bowl victory.
Best costume award went to Dale Gleave and the LehFeldt family won a monster-sized Navajo Mountain Sundae from Big Dipper Ice Cream and Yogurt for their 4-member participation.
Ostapuk noted that the air temperature for this year's noon event was 15 degrees warmer than last year's event which necessitated the ceremonial placement of block ice into the water as part of the pre-plunge activities. "Next year we are forecasting snow and clouds".
Kristie Lavaty was on hand as volunteer
EMT for the event.
January 18, 2003 Photo Album
Boy, these humans are an odd
bunch!
Sharing
a Super Bowl football moment.
Thank You Volunteers!
Frank Talbott, Mike Phillips, Randy Irby, Dave Tarkington - Photographers
Kristie Lavaty, EMT
Pat Dineyazhe, Polar Bear Princess
Phil Cline, Football Referee
Thank You Sponsors!
KXAZ Radio
Lake Powell Chronicle
Prism DJ
Big Dipper Ice Cream and Yogurt
Safeway Food and Drug
Click Here for More 2003 Event Photos - Page 2
2003 Participant Listing
(29 entered the day of the event but only 24 took the Plunge)
Ages ranged from 7 to 64, half of the participants were woman
Alonzo Henderson Tyler Henderson Lopez Fowler Tim Mauger Gawain Mauger
Mykel Fatali Frank Kokasko Amy Ostapuk Sean Kokasko Melissa Jerrel
Angelee Johnson Paul Lehfeldt Laura Lehfeldt Samatha Lehfeldt Madison Lehfeldt
Carla Corn Kirk Speer Dale Gleave Val Gleave Carla Diamond
James Nielson Angela Grey Amber Grey Marcey Malcolm Peter Malcolm
Steve Eller
Judy Malcolm Jason Adams
Paul Ostapuk
We Hope To See You Next Year for the January 2004 Event!
Page-Lake Powell Polar Bear Home Page
2002 Event Summary F.A.Q. - Cold Water Swimming
2003 Press Release Entry Forms and Waiver
Photo Gallery - Cold Water Swimming Images from around the World
Polar Bear Club and Cold Water Swimming Links