What Does It Take To Be A Polar Bear?

A Polar Bear is a person hearty of nerve and maybe less hearty of mind.  Every year they sign up to a take a dip in the frigid waters of Lake Ontario.  The money raised goes to the local Lions Club to support several programs for those in need.  Up until a few years ago I used to participate in the local Polar Bear Swim.  Yeah, I'm a little crazy like that.

On the swim morning I would wake up and get dressed in my shorts and a t-shirt.  I would try to down some food, in anticipation of the tailgate parties after the swim.  The swim was usually between 1-2 PM.  At about 11 AM I would head to the beach.  I would wander in and out of the local establishments talking to spectators and encouraging those taking their first dip.  I would then go and register for the dip.

Unlike many, I kept drinking to a minimum, knowing it can contribute to hypothermia.  The water is normally 35-40 degrees.  The air can vary from 20-60, with an average around 35.  Now you may think the warmer, the better which is true for the spectators.  Truth be told, the colder, the better for the swimmers.  When it is very warm out and you hit that cold water it's a real shock to the system.  It can be too cold, though.  Those are the years they had to bring in the heavy equipment to break a hole in the ice.  This year doesn't look to be iced too bad so it should be a good year.

The false bravado I would display beforehand would keep me from coming to my senses and skipping the dip.  About 30 minutes before the swim I would take myself and find a good place for my "helpers."  I always wanted to know where they were with my warm, dry blanket and clothes.  After that I would head down to the beach and find some friends.  We would stand there talking about the parties after the jump.  When the time came I would just go with the rush of people and dive in.  Talk about a rush.  Even, though you brace yourself, it hits you like a mack truck.  After pulling my freezing butt from the lake I would find my blanket and skip into one of the establishments. The final adventure is trying to worm into a place to change.

So what does it take to do the dip?  I would say 5% adventurism, 5% bravery and 90% craziness.  The water is cold beyond belief and the smart ones get in and get out.  The heartier folks stay in and play for a while.  Regardless of which group you fall into, everybody thinks you're nuts and seriously, you have to be a bit nuts.

I did it for quite a few years and I miss doing it.  It is so fun and a chance to just go crazy.  I have not gone as a spectator because I knew I would just want to go in and my body just couldn't take it.  I have a problem regulating my body temperature so I would be at risk to get  sick.  I'm hoping I won't be so sore after skiing that I have to skip it again this year.  It will be the first year I go just to watch and I will have fun, but I will have a tinge of jealousy going on.  If I do go I will get plenty of photos and video to show you, though.