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Whidbey Xtra! WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2015 | Vol. 1, No. 36 | WWW.WHIDBEYNEWSTIMES.COM | FREE
Polar bear plunge a refreshing way to start new year By RON NEWBERRY
rnewberry@whidbeynewsgroup.com
The experience isn’t as frigid as one might expect. At least, that’s how Melissa Riker describes the Polar Bear Plunge that is taking place in Oak Harbor on New Year’s Day. The dip into the lagoon at Windjammer Park will start around noon. “It isn’t as cold as you’d think,” said Riker, organizer of the event. “It’s quite refreshing. It’s a lot of fun. It’s fun to do with a group of people and family and friends.” The plunge is part of a bigger event titled the 5K Resolution Run and Polar Bear Plunge. About 70 people participated in the free run last year with many also taking the plunge afterward. The run is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. at the lagoon. The course stretches from the Oak Harbor Marina and back. A kids “Lap Around the Lagoon” will begin at 11:30 a.m. There is no registration or fee for the event, only a waiver that needs to be
signed. Riker participated in the first Oak Harbor plunge two years ago but got sick last year and had to skip the event. She was inspired to start the Oak Harbor plunge after participating in a similar New Year’s Day dip in Bellingham. “It was so much fun. Everyone had a great time,” she said. “It seemed like such a long drive up to Bellingham.” Freeland also hosts a polar bear plunge at Double Bluff Beach, but Riker said she felt that also was too far away. She likes the lagoon’s setting. “The first time we did it, we held hands and ran into the lagoon,” Riker said, referring to her son. “Some friends jump off the dock. It’s a lot of fun. People think it’s freezing cold. It’s not bad.” The event is a fundraiser for local charities. Cash or canned food may be donated, Riker said. “I wanted something fun for the community to do,” Riker said. “It’s a fun, healthy way to start the new year.”
Photo by Ron Newberry
Participants head for the chilly waters of the lagoon at Windjammer Park on New Year’s Day during Oak Harbor’s 2015 polar bear plunge. The 2016 event includes a 5K run at 11 a.m. followed by the plunge around noon. Both events are free.
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