The Spicer polar bear jump was quite a laugh. (Mostly for those of us not plunging). The weather was a balmy 2 degrees F with a wind chill of -15 F. (That's -16C with a windchill of -26 C, for you international plunge fans.) The water was a tropical 30F/0C. The event took place in front of Melvin's On The Lake, one of spicer's two bars.The Spicer police and fire seemed to organize the event and it was quite the layout. People were announced as they ran from a staging tent across the ice (often resulting in a comical fall, which delighted the crowd) and a rescue team stayed in the water in dry suits to assist any troubled jumpers.
After they emerged, the participants were hustled to a steam tent and then a hot tub before they got into dry clothes... no hypothermia here.
The bloody mary's at Melvins were great, but you had to drink fast as the drink froze in your cup before you could get to the bottom.
Thank all of you who supported the plunge! 180 crazy people jumped into Green Lake on January 27th, and raised over $28,000 for the Special Olympics. Our star, Wes the Benevolent, raised $430 all by his lonesome.
My beloved Aunt Jann offered to double down if Wes would make the rest of the plunge circuit (the special olympics holds similar events around Minnesota throughout the winter), but he isn't ready to get back in the water just yet.
Here are some photos from the event, and we'll hope to see you next year.
