What Is The Polar Bear Swim?

Olcott, a hamlet of Newfane, is a sleepy little harbor town in western New York.  During the summer the town is alive with a very nice park, beach and harbor that attracts tourists who love the fishing here on Lake Ontario.  During the winter the boardwalk is rolled up and the seasonal businesses go into hibernation until spring when the tourists start to arrive.  That is except for one day in March when Olcott is teaming with people from all walks of life and from all over the area.  What could wake these people up in the winter and bring them out in droves to face the winter conditions, you ask? 

Well, it was a Sunday in February and the year was 1968.  Some locals were gathered at The Black Stallion (a tavern) discussing the harsh winter conditions and bragging about who could handle them best as they tossed back a few libations.  After a bit of bravado was bandied about and liquid bravery was downed, the challenge ensued and 7 brave people jumped into the frigid waters of the harbor in Olcott, NY.

The following year Mike Rann, the owner of The Black Stallion, decided this was a great idea and started to organize it into an annual tradition.  It quickly took off as a day of community fun and soon funds were raised for charity and it was moved from the harbor to the beach at Krull Park to accomodate more people.  It gradually moved from Mike Rann's hands to the hands of the Lions Club.  The Lions have capitalized on it raising funds for many local projects using it raise more than 6 times the funds.  The swim averages more than 300 people who are brave enough to take the dip and attracts thousands of spectators.

The funds raised help many local charitable organizations including the Lions Club (who run programs to supply those who need it with eyeglasses, service animals and animal therapies) the local volunteer Fire Department (all we have are volunteer companies here in the boonies,) food pantries, soup kitchens, a hospice, and reading programs to name a few.

The celebration has evolved over the years and depending on the times it has lasted 1-3 days.  There have been "Snowball" softball and/or volleyball tournaments, carnivals and other activities to compliment it.  The last time I went there were ice sculptors out showing off their craft on Main Street as we watched with fascination.  There is something for everybody here.  Main street (all 100 or so yards of it) is closed to traffic and the vendors set up shot selling t-shirts, sweatshirts, drinks, candy and food including chowder, BBQ chicken, sandwiches and fries.  The local restaurants even open the doors for the day.  The local taverns (5 within 200 yards) stock up on the drink of the day: alcohol.  Liquid bravery has helped many a swimmer go through with the dip. 

People show up early to get the good parking and wander the streets and small shops that line the lake side.  The kids line up to get a good vantage point to watch the swimmers jump ion and scream when they feel the cold water hit them.  The kids (and adults) yell encouragement to those brave enough to test the icy waters.  Anticipation fills the air as the safety workers hold the swimmers back until the allotted time.  When the whistle blows people jeer or console those who chicken out and applaud those who make good on the challenge. 

As the freezing swimmers slip back up the hill to find their warm clothes, the less prepared spectators, still in awe, quickly go back to their cars and the traffic jam is on.  Those who are more experienced are dressed warmer and enjoy some more time on main street before wandering back to their cars after the traffic has lightened up.  Within a couple of hours only the partiers remain, singing the praises of those who took the jump and keeping the taverns rocking until they remember it is a Sunday and they have to work in the morning or until the taverns kick them out at closing.