Week #1: Taking the plunge!

I figured if I was going to start this thing I might as well start strong. I jumped in to the New Year (and Lake Michigan) in a cooolddd fashion! I joined the Polar Bear Club for the first time in Door County Wisconsin. http://www.doorbell.net/pbc/yr23.htm As an added benefit, I might be in my first movie. Apparently, they were filming a scene for a Tony Shalhoub (Monk) movie during the polar bear. http://www.feedthefishmovie.com/ Beforehand, it seemed like the gods were trying to tell me not to do this (along with my Wife and Mother) ... I thought I broke my leg on New Years Eve afternoon after I sledded into a 10 foot tree and broke it at its roots. I could barely walk for the next few days. Then on the day of the plunge our car got a flat tire on the way to the event and we were stuck with 20 minutes to go before the jump. My dad (who lives nearby) came to the rescue and delivered me and my family with 15 minutes to spare.!

Now that I have done this, I can say anyone who repeatedly does these polar bears, is CRAZY!! It was freezing! The temperature said the water and air was 31 degrees, but with the 15+ mph wind it was a lot colder. When you are in the water you have a numbing sensation to your body. But, when you get out that sensation gives way to reality! My whole body was shaking and my hands and most of all my feet were frozen. I could barely grab the towel with my shaking hands to dry off my frozen hair. Twenty minutes later when we were driving home, I for the first time felt this strange pain on my chins and looked down to see many 1 to 2 inch bumps and scraps all over my legs from the icebergs crashing against them. Oh well, no pain no gain. It was definitely a different start to the 2009.

Here is someone's YouTube of the event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKKBCiaMmbE

You can find me in minute 2:30-2:34 behind dude with his arms up. I am the slow moving guy with red swimsuit with white drawstrings. Even after all this, I might do it again next year!



UPDATE! August 30th 2009 My brother-in-law videoed and You Tubed my experience ... the three links follow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ie0lebthZrU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxZZ2nqhrx4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6uhLgvcrwo&feature=related