Ten years of the Polar Bear Swim

GAINESVILLE - Ten years ago, 60 brave souls gathered at the Lake Lanier Olympic venue and took an icy plunge into the frigid waters. Thus, began a new New Year's Day tradition in Gainesville which continues to this day.

The next installment of the Polar Bear Swim is next Monday, Jan. 1.

A lot has changed over the past ten years. The number of swimmers has increased and the number of side events grows each year.

This year the first Southern Winter Games will be held for one hour on each side of the 3:00 p.m. main event - from 2:00-4:00.

Connie Hagler, executive director of the sponsoring Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club, says the idea for the Polar Bear Swim originated with the club's first coach, Tony Hall, a Canadian.

"He thought it would be funny to do a spoof of the true Canadian Polar Bear Plunge, where you cut (a hole in) the ice," Hagler recalled on Sunday's Northeast Georgia This Week on WDUN NEWS TALK 550 (like AccessNorthGa.com, a part of Jacobs Media Corp.).

It is also a fundraiser for the club.

"It helps us keep the lights on at the boat house and pay the coaches," Hagler said. She said last year's event raised about $6,000.

Gainesville City Councilman and former Mayor George Wangemann, a native of Wisconsin, hasn't missed a single Polar Bear Swim in the past seven years and is the unofficial record-holder for the most jumps during the lifetime of the event.

"I jumped about 40 times one year, so, over the seven years, I figure I have jumped about 70 times," he said, appearing with Hagler on Northeast Georgia This Week.

Why does he do it?

"Because I'm a little crazy," he said laughing, "and there's not much going on on New Year's, so, instead of eating and sitting around a watching football, I like to get out and something that's a little different and offers a thrill which this does, while raising money for a good cause."

What's it like to hit the water the first time each year?

"The first time its a stunning experience," Wangemann said, "very breathtaking and your mind is telling you 'get out, get out!'" But it becomes easier and easier with each additional jump, he said.

Hagler says people jump for different reasons. Obviously there are those who do so just for the fun of it, but she says she's noticed something else over the years. "It's been exciting to see people recovering from an illness or celebrating some kind of family achievement (come out and participate)."

Wangemann says he witnessed his first such event in 1974 in Wisconsin but never participated. He recalls that it was -22 with a wind chill "in the minus-50s" at Lake Michigan. "And, there they were - guys in their Speedos and ladies in their bikinis, tossing a beach ball around."

Gainesville's Polar Bear Swim has been held in a variety of weather over the years - nothing nearly that cold, of course. Sometimes temperatures have been downright balmy for the time of year, around 60, while other times more normal, in the 40s and 50s. Hagler recalls one year when there was actually a thin layer of ice on the lake when it came time to jump.

"It was 26 degrees," Wangemann added, "and there were snow flurries that day and I only managed four jumps."

Hagler said they had one of their smallest group of participants that year but the crowd of spectators - probably about 2,000 - was the largest.

Hagler who has been spearheading the event since its inception says they've had to modify some of the rules over the years, specifically, limiting the number of jumps because of people like Wangemann, out of fear for their well-being.

There's always a Best Costume contest and Hagler recalls that one of the most usual was probably a lady who dressed as if she were pregnant - complete with a basketball under her shirt. "We've had Elvis, mermaids, a bag of M&Ms, and a railroad conductor."

Hagler says the strangest call about the annual event probably came a few weeks ago from a woman who said she and a friend were planning to jump and she was wondering if they could do so naked. Hagler said she told the lady "most assuredly not, that it was not a clothing optional" event. To which, Hagler says, the woman replied "but you don't understand. It won't be nearly as cold when you get out of the water if you don't have on wet, clammy, clinging clothes." Nevertheless, Hagler says she told her, "no skinny-dipping."

The Southern Winter Games - which will kick off the day's activities at 2:00 and continue until 4:00 - will feature feature a Snow Palace Maze, Southern Sledding (aka Ice > Blocking), Snow Ball toss, Cross Country Skiing, Chili-Chili Cook Off, and more, according to Hagler.

Because the weather is not likely to cooperate and cover the hills and shores around the lake with snow, Hagler and others have kept that in mind while planning for the new events. For instance, Southern Sledding (aka Ice Blocking) involves riding down a hill on a block of ice and Cross Country Skiing involves going through the motions of cross-country skiing but without the snow.

Hagler says there will be a $1 admission charge this year and tickets will be sold - most for a dollar a piece - if spectators wish to participate in any of the games. And, of course, there's an entry fee if you wish to be in the Polar Bear Swim.