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'Polar Bears'
take cold plunge into 2010
By
Jane Harrison
 Nearly
100 "polar bears" were undaunted by white capped waters lapping over
the dock, teasing their cold soles Jan. 1 outside the Lanier Olympic
Venue boathouse. Ninety-seven cold-hardy revelers plunged into 2010
at the 13th Annual Polar Bear Swim organized by the Lanier Canoe &
Kayak Club.
Celebrants ranging in age from five to 67 leapt, dove
or flipped into 46 degree water after waiting their turn. Many
flaunted pink flesh and goose bumps on the wind swept dock where
temperatures hovered in the low 40s.
Rebecca Foote, 12, shivered alongside her Gainesville
cousins as she waited in line. She was among several clans who
shared chilly family New Year’s get-togethers. “I expect to turn
into an icicle,” Foote exclaimed before her leap.
Ken and Tom Eckelkamp, up from warm St. Petersburg,
Fla., read about the cold weather stunt on-line the night before.
The father-son duo donned their camouflaged hunting duds and orange
caps and scoped out the dock before they flipped in unison into the
water. Both expressed surprise that their impromptu hunt for a
unique New Year’s start won the prize for best jump.
Carl Jacobsen, from Norcross, beamed about winning
the oldest jumper prize. The 67-year-old said the Lake Lanier
tradition “seemed like a nice family event” for his three
grandchildren, daughter and son-in-law to do together. Even though
the senior jumper described the water as “not that cold,” his wife,
Carole, revealed he sported “goose bumps a mile high.” She chose to
stay warm and dry, but enjoyed the after jump chili and brownies
with the thawing throng inside the boathouse.
Jana Deaton, from Cornelia, warmed in the hot tub on
shore as she told why she took the plunge. “I want 2010 to be
different for me. I wanted to do something totally crazy,” she said.
She said the jump represented her joy at being healthy, happy, and
willing to do crazy things. She brought along her boyfriend, Russell
Blalock, from Augusta, for “moral support.” Blalock gladly played
his part on dry land with camera in hand. “I’m the wimp,” he said,
“I’m preserving the moment.”
The jump, themed “Tidal Wave,” in tribute to the full
lake, is an annual fund-raiser for LCKC. Past events have attracted
as few as 40 celebrants to nearly 200.
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