This was going to be my year. Finally … I was considering taking the cool dive into Lake Lanier on New Year’s Day. Can you imagine how crushing it was to learn they postponed the 2019 Polar Bear Plunge? I guess all those hot showers I took to prepare were wasted.
Maybe those of us who were hoping to jump into Lanier can meet and share our grief? Somewhere inside. Somewhere warm. Somewhere dry. Somewhere that doesn’t require jumping?
Here’s the sad news about the postponed Polar Bear Plunge.
The Official Polar Bear Plunge Postponed Press Release from Lake Canoe & Kayak Club
Please Note: I moved stuff around to make more sense, because that’s how we editors justify our existence.
The 21st Annual Polar Bear Plunge has been postponed due to excessive rain which has caused excessive debris and muddy water in Lake Lanier.
Event organizers decided to postpone the Polar Bear Plunge because of safety and access concerns. The excessive rain in the area since Thursday has caused the lake level to increase rapidly and created large debris fields and muddy water. The debris in the water (visible and hidden) is a major safety concern.
Participants take the plunge into the chilly waters of Lake Sidney Lanier either individually or in a group. The event raises funds for the programs of Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club. The event has been held on New Year’s Day (sometimes New Year’s Eve) for the past 21 years at Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30506.
Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club looks forward to hosting the 21st Annual Polar Bear Plunge in the very near future. There will be awards for Best Jump, Best Splash, Oldest Jumper, Youngest Jumper, and Best Costume. We look forward to welcoming past participants and new folks, as well. An announcement will be sent when registration re-opens and a new date is set.
The club is a legacy of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and introduces the sports of sprint canoe/kayak, dragon boat, recreational canoe/kayak and other paddle sports to children of all ages. Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club is a 10 time USA Canoe/Kayak Sprint National Champion.
