Hardy souls take cold-water challenge

By Adam Wilson | The Olympian • Published January 01, 2008

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The new Long Lake venue was great for a New Year's Day dip, if you could reach it.

More than 300 people took the annual Polar Bear Plunge Tuesday, setting a record and nearly doubling last year's total.

Many more wanted to swim into 2008, but couldn't because they didn't show up in time to park.

"I saw the sign up on College Street, decided I could do that instead of sleep in," said Phyllis Smith of Lacey, heading for the lake.

Smith walked to the park with Bill Turner, which spared them from waiting in a half-mile traffic backup on Carpenter Road caused by the 1 p.m. splash in 40-degree weather.

"I like seeing crazy people," said Turner.

Lacey's Parks and Recreation Department took over organizing the event this time after decades of stewardship by the Olympia Polar Bear Swim Club.

The switch in leadership meant diving into Long Lake, which not only has better water quality than the traditional Capitol Lake site, but lifeguards and a swimming dock from which to jump.

"Fantastic — it's a great spot," said Dave Sederberg, who helped start the event 24 years ago. "Next year, I might finally take off for the New Year, go some place warm."

The new management also meant the advertising along College Street and elsewhere, bringing more people than organizers expected.

No sooner had Turner and Smith walked past someone in a polar bear suit than the countdown to jump started.

"Wait!" yelled several people in swimsuits still making their way toward the shore. But there was no more waiting as the dock emptied in a tumult of splashes.

Eric Johnson of Olympia had to wait on the dock for a moment to find an open spot for a landing.

"You feel the gravel, but it feels numb, if that makes sense," he said afterward.

A member of the Army stationed at Fort Lewis, Johnson brought his three children to the event for their first time.

"I thought I would do it for all the guys who can't be here, that are across the way," Johnson said.

His 10-year-old son, James, didn't make the jump, but said, "It looked really cool when they all went in at once."

Jeff Patnode, a 13-year veteran of the event, was equally enthusiastic about the new locale.

"This is warm, and I think it's cleaner. I grew up along this lake," he said.

An early count showed more than 300 people registered for the event as swimmers. Last year 186 people made the jump, which was a record.

Mary Coppin, Lacey's recreation supervisor, went in the water in addition to helping organize the event.

"We love special events; they bring people together," Coppin said.

"I just feel bad for the people who couldn't get in the park in time. People were lined up. You need to get them in and dried off."

Indeed, the park was quickly emptied after swimmers slogged out of the water, although some stopped to warm near fire braziers and discuss their exploits.

As the adventurers departed, Turner said he enjoyed it, but wasn't converted to the ways of the polar bear.

"Don't get your hopes up. I was a commercial diver, in the sound. We had dry suits, but it got cold. I had enough of that."

Adam Wilson covers state workers and politics for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-753-1688 or awilson@theolympian.com.