Polar Bear Swim Makes a Splash

polar bear

Almost 100 hearty souls gathered by the Olympic Timing Tower at Clarks Bridge Park in Gainesville for the Polar Bear Swim sponsored by the Lake Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club (LCKC).

The shrewd leaders of the LCKC have discovered what can only be termed a Jedi Mind Trick that induces seemingly normal men and women to pay for the opportunity to jump into the way-chilly waters of Lake Lanier on New Year’s Day — with their children.  For sixteen years in a row.

Most of us can’t get our kids to unload the dishwasher.

Are you thinking what I’m thinking?  We should get these people to tackle America’s national debt.  They could do their Jedi mind-thing and have us all send generous checks to Uncle Sam … and LIKE it.  Wait.  On second thought, let’s table that motion.

Most of us didn’t attend the Polar Bear Swim.  We said to ourselves, “Let’s see.  It’s cold.  It’s raining.  It’s New Year’s Day.  Them Dawgs are in a bowl game.  Should I go out and pay to jump in Lake Lanier or should I stay here and have Lula-Belle bring me beer and sammiches whilst I watch them Dawgs?”

Nevertheless, LCKC’s Mind Tricks are incredibly effective.  For example, George Wangemann, the former mayor of Gainesville, was the first to jump in the lake.

Does this mean LCKC has found the secret to make politicians actually jump in a lake?

LCKC’s amazing fund-raising tactics have yet to be perfected, evidently.  The coordinator of the Polar Bear Swim, Chris Potter, also jumped into Lake Lanier.  A great leader, indeed, and for a good cause.

We salute the Brave Ones who took a dive to keep the Lake Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club alive!


About Author

Robert J. Sutherland is a travel writer enjoying life in Gainesville, GA.
Robert has two adult daughters, seven practically perfect grandchildren and a zippy Kawasaki. Contact Robert at [email protected].

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