On December 30, 2018, the 2019 Polar Bear Plunge was postponed due to dangerous conditions, including high water and lots of floating junk around the LCKC docks. We’ll let you know when they figure out the date.
What is more fun than jumping into cold water at the 2019 Polar Bear Plunge into Lake Lanier? Well, just about everything, if you ask me. Unless you enjoy diving into semi-icy cold water on New Year’s Day to benefit Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club (LCKC).
The 2019 Polar Bear Plunge makes a bit more sense than, say, jumping out of a perfectly functioning airplane to “skydive” or from a boat to dive into shark-infested lagoons. Actually, jumping off a dock into Lanier makes perfect sense if you want to start the New Year off with a bit of adventure, ignoring those of us too squeamish to descend into the non-briny deep.
Yes, it’s fun to watch individuals, teams, families and various strays take the (probably) safe immersion — as long as we don’t get sprayed or have to rescue them from the water and/or their hasty decisions.
The really weird part? Otherwise sensible people cannot wait for the 2019 Polar Bear Plunge on New Year’s Day at Lake Lanier Olympic Park. Not for the delicious chili served to participant afterward.
They want to prove something to themselves … just as I want to prove to myself that my 70th birthday is more important to me than such insanity as bungee jumping, rock climbing, marriage or polar bear plunges.
We live in a free country! You have the freedom to freely jump into Lake Lanier on any dang day you want. We urge you, however, to join the masses and jump en masse on Saturday, January 1, 2019 at the chilly stroke of noon for the 21st annual celebration of [insert a really good reason to jump into a cold lake here].
There are many ways to take part in the nippy madness. You can try talking sense into the participants, but that doesn’t work. You can help set stuff up before the plunge or put it all away afterward.
Please Note: Sorry, volunteers are not needed to push others into the lake. (Don’t ask me how I know.)
The Polar Bear Plunge raises funds for LCKC, a legacy of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. They introduce children of all ages to the sports of sprint canoe/kayak, dragon boat, recreational canoe/kayak and other paddle sports.
The event will be held at Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville, 30506.
2019 Polar Bear Plunge Information
