Page-Lake Powell’s 4th Annual
Jimmy Carter made the mistake of shopping in Safeway Saturday
afternoon when the Plunge coordinator was
in the store picking up a 12-pack of Klondyke Bars. Ninety minutes later...Carter
was a changed man!
2005 Polar Bear participants bask in a cold water 'afterglow'
NFC Wins Ceremonial Coin Toss!
Regina Lane accepts 'Brave Heart'
Trophy
| Year | # of Polar Bears |
Air Temperature |
Water Temperature |
Predicted Super Bowl Winner |
| 2002 | 6 | 30 degrees | 48.5 degrees | AFC - New England Paddlers |
| 2003 | 24 | 45 degrees | 50.2 degrees | AFC - Oakland Waders |
| 2004 | Private party (only 3) |
39 degrees, snow pellets and 25 mph wind |
46.9 degrees | NFC - Carolina Penguins |
| 2005 | 7 | 51 degrees | 50.2 degrees | NFC - Philadelphia Sea Gulls |
Press Release
January 29, 2005
The Philadelphia "Sea Gulls" win 2005 Super Bowl ceremonial coin toss
This year's event saw the induction of five new Polar Bear members: Mark Hansen, Jimmy Carter, Regina Lane, Shannon Santucci, and Diane Ostapuk who surprised the audience with a last second strip and cold water entry.
A forecasted storm front failed to materialized and so a ceremonial bag of ice was broadcast into Lake Powell to make the water "Minnesota Cold". Participants can literally say they "broke the ice" when making their cold water entry. The water temperature for this year's event was 50.2 degrees, up 3.3 degrees over last year when snow pellets and cold gusty winds added a bit of weather drama to the annual event.
The highlight of this year's event was a 'Brave Heart' plunge performed by Regina Lane who accepted a $200 charity bribe for the Page-Lake Powell Community Foundation. Ms. Lane (left speechless by the plunge event) was presented a 'Cold Heart' trophy for her participation. At press time, Lane had not yet committed to a repeat performance next year.
Following the plunge event...a Super Bowl coin flip by Polar Bear Princess Traci Varner projected that the Philadelphia 'Sea Gulls' would reign supreme in next Sunday's Super Bowl contest.
Do you have the courage to be a Lake
Powell Polar Bear?
For More Information
Paul Ostapuk at 645-6577 / 4959 or Jody Gebhardt at 645-1456 / 608- 6035
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
2004 Photos 2003 Photos 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.