“We did it! On Saturday over 200 of us braved the elements to make the 10th annual “Keep Winter Cold” Polar Bear Plunge our biggest yet. Neither the rain nor an incredibly high tide could stop us from jumping, wading and even diving into the Potomac River! Plungers were as young as nine and as old as 85, including students, community activists and Franciscan priests,” reports Mike Tidwell, Director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN).
photo by Bruce Rosenthal
Mike is describing last weekend’s CCAN Polar Bear Plunge that I wrote about last week in The Earth Connection. It was indeed great. Spirits were high among the crowd gathered to demonstrate our commitment to a healthy climate!
My friend Diane and I arrived early at National Harbor. And even though this was to be my fourth Plunge, I felt my familiar ‘pre-plunge jitters.’ The prospect of stepping out into frigid water on a winter day just doesn’t seem to get easier.
Soon Diane and I were met by our friend Barb, who had brought a most welcome pre-plunge treat–hot chocolate! And this was not just any hot chocolate. Barb had made it with a yummy liqueur, and she even brought whipped cream. Sipping hot chocolate while enjoying the pre-plunge rally somehow calmed me. I felt warm and centered, ready for the shock that lay ahead.
One rally speaker, Rev. Lennox Yearwood of the Hip-Hop Caucus, inspired the crowd with his updated version of Dr. Martin Luther King’s famous statement: “One day this generation will say, ‘we are fossil fuel-free at last!’” Who wouldn’t be willing to take the plunge after that!
Another highlight of the rally, for me, was Mike Tidwell’s salute to the 10 ‘Plungers’ who raised the most money, including me as the top fundraiser. I am thrilled that, thanks to the support of friends and family, I raised more than $4,000 for CCAN! And CCAN raised more than $82,000 overall, its highest total yet in 10 years of Plunges!
![photo by Bruce Rosenthal]()
- photo by Bruce Rosenthal
A few more speeches, and then the moment was here! Off to the tents went the Plungers, a women’s tent and a men’s tent, where we all shed our sensible coats, hats, and gloves for–bathing suits! Aaargh!
Because the water level was higher for this year’s Plunge than for any of the previous nine, there was little beach on which the Plungers could gather. So instead of all thronging into the river en masse, we plunged in small groups. As I made my way out of the tent toward the river, I envied a woman who was on her way in, dripping and shivering. Her Plunge was over!
There we were, some picking our way over the rocks to the water, others wet and moving as fast as they could back to the tents. Were it not for all the shivering, we could have passed for a bunch of people enjoying a summer dip in the river.
Every year I vow to walk out as far as my shoulders. But until this year, I had never succeeded; my feet went numb too soon. But either the water was warmer this year or I’m more used to it. I did manage to go out almost up to my shoulders.
Back in the tent, I could hardly feel my feet. My friend Diane, kindly and patiently, helped me get dry again and dressed.
Then for the best part. Diane and I joined the other Plungers and supporters at the adjacent restaurant for the Plunge Afterparty. Did it ever feel good to warm up and celebrate with longtime friends Diane, Barb, Bruce, and Bonnie, and enjoy a hot lunch and a good visit!
Sitting there in the warm restaurant, I felt deeply happy–for a lot of reasons. I was glad to have been part of such a rousing event, to have raised so much money for CCAN, to enjoy time with some dear friends, AND to savor the knowledge that I will have no reason to step out into frigid waters again for a whole year!–April Moore
P.S. Please click here to look at some fun photos from thePlunge that CCAN posted on its website: photos from the 10th annual ‘Keep Winter Cold’ Polar Bear Plunge