Page-Lake Powell’s 3rd Annual

This year's 2004 event was a small private affair while we rethink liability issues.

 

A storm front with 25 mph winds and snow pellets greeted the 2004 Polar Bear Plunge
participants as they made entry into the chilly waters of Lake Powell. 

    The Carolina "Penguins" win the 2004 Page Polar Bear Super Bowl ceremonial coin toss

2004 Press Release
January 25, 2004

Frigid weather conditions greeted the small gathering of 2004 Page Polar Bear Club participants for the 3rd annual event.  Snow pellets, strong 25 mph winds and an air temperature of 39 degrees separated diehards from fair weather polar bears. 

"We hoped all year for some artic-like weather and the weatherman delivered right on cue" said Polar Bear event organizer Paul Ostapuk.  We had below freezing temperatures for the 2002 event but when the sun is shining it takes the edge off a Polar Bear event.  This year had the dramatic flair of an approaching storm front which produced an angry sky complete with blowing dust, ice pellets and black, cold water.  

Repeat Polar Bear Jason Adams proclaimed, "It was much harder this year.  When I stood on the dock and looked into that cold, black water...I was thinking that jumping straight in wasn't such a good idea.   I was worried that I might freeze up in the water and I wasn't sure I could make the swim back to the shoreline."

The entry was then modified to a "run-and-dive" event versus the more traditional plunge off the launch ramp.  "The water was so black and choppy.  We could not see the bottom.  So we entered the water the old fashioned way....head on", said Ostapuk, noting that to be an official Polar Bear you must submerge your head underwater.  

To help make the water "Minnesota Cold", a ceremonial bag of ice was broadcast into Lake Powell so that participants could literally say they "broke the ice" when entering the water.  Following the plunge event...a Super Bowl coin flip projected that the Carolina "Penguins" would reign supreme in next Sunday's Super Bowl contest.

In previous years, an actual game of water football was played to project the winner of the Super Bowl.  This year's small event precluded those traditional activities.  This is second time in 3 years that the Page Polar Bear Club has picked an underdog to win the Super Bowl.  Two years ago New England was an 18 point underdog against the St. Louis Rams yet came away with victory.   This year, Carolina is a 6 1/2 point underdog. 

Reflecting upon the long odds for a Carolina victory, Ostapuk just pointed to the sky.  "Who would have predicted snow for this year's Polar Bear event?"   

PAGE AIRPORT  1 PM  CLOUDY   TEMP 39   WIND NW13G25   PRESSURE 29.79R   WIND CHILL 31

More 2004 Photos  

Life is short:  So Live a little, Laugh a little…Play a lot!
And it’s never too cold to eat ice cream or take a swim in Lake Powell.

F.A.Q. - Cold Water Swimming      Entry Forms and Waiver     

2003 Photos and Event Summary    2002 Photos  

 Photo Gallery - Cold Water Swimming Images from around the World

Polar Bear Club and Cold Water Swimming Links

Benefits of becoming a Polar Bear Member

    1)  Shocking the circulatory system can produce a warm afterglow and a transcendental
    state that one literally needs to experience to fully understand.

    2)  It is a spiritually uplifting ritual which can surpass any normal level of comprehension.

    3)  It can reduce wrinkles.    Drastic temperature changes and shivering skin actually
         exercise shallow sub-cutaneous muscles that firm the skin.

    4)  You become part of history rooted in the European tradition of saunas and cold-water
         bathing.

    5)  Jumping in near-freezing water wearing little more than a pair of shorts takes a brave
         soul.

    6)  Participants build a sense of camaraderie and valued friendships that can last a lifetime.

    7)  It helps mentally by shortening the winter season and lifts bouts of depression. 

    8)  It's a heck of lot cheaper and safer than walking on coals.