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12/25/02

Polar punishment
Triathlon club plans 2nd Annual Polar Bear Swim at Lake Chatuge

By Don Hendershot
Feel like taking the plunge this New Year’s Day? Looking for a way to snap out of it? How about a refreshing dip in the 45 or so degree water of Lake Chatuge? Jan. 1, 2003 is the date for the Great Smoky Mountains Triathlon Club’s 2nd annual Polar Bear Swim.

There is no really sound reason for such an event.

“I always wanted to do it and figured there were enough crazy people around to pull it off,” said Scott Hanna, the triathlon club’s director. Twenty-four of those crazies joined Hanna last year for the first GSMTC Polar Bear Swim and more than 100 people showed up to watch the lunacy.

Hanna, a triathlete, was not content with the regular polar bear protocol.

“I watched clips from places like Chicago and New York and basically it was just a bunch of fat guys jumping in the water and climbing out.”

So Hanna added a little twist to his event — a 50-yard swim.

“Preparing mentally for that was as hard as getting ready for any marathon or ultra,” said Will Harlan, a local athlete and editor of Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine.

“When I hit the water, it was pure panic. The numbing, cold water covered my body and instinct took over. I was swimming as fast as I could for half a minute or so, until the adrenalin slowed down and I realized I had to swim back,” said Harlan.

The event is free and everyone is invited, Hanna said. Chili dogs and hot apple cider will be provided and donations will be accepted. Last year’s donations went to the Hayesville High School swim team. This year the money will be split between the swim team and a fund for 8-year-old cancer patient Garrett Cross.


Polar bears around the world

It is hard to figure the appeal of such an event, but thousands of people across the country and around the world will jump, dive, wade, plunge or otherwise immerse themselves in icy waters on New Year’s Day. Vancouver will hold its 83rd polar bear swim in 2003.

In Finland, where “ice dipping” is quite popular, some suggest there are health benefits to be derived from the icy plunge. The cold water is believed to jumpstart the adrenal system and swimmers get an endorphin rush. The Finns believe ice swimming is therapeutic for people suffering from cardiovascular disease, asthma, arthritis and/or eczema.

Harlan has a different reason for taking the plunge.

“It’s a hoot, something different to do on New Years.”

Leave it to race directors to devise a way to make jumping into icy water competitive. The challenge for those who dare at the GSMTC’s event is to stay in the water for five minutes. After five minutes, those who have endured will race for shore. Hanna said there would be certificates for all participants and special GSMTC medals for those polar bears that last five minutes.

“It’s all in good fun. It’s low key and there’s a nice bonfire when you get out of the water. I’m still shivering from last year, but I’m thinking about doing it again,” Harlan said.

The race is at noon at Lake Chatuge’s Clay County Recreation Park. For information about this year’s Polar Bear Swim at Lake Chatuge visit www.gsmtc.com/Polarbear.htm or call 828.389.6982.