The Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club's annual Polar Bear Plunge will return Saturday as the club aims to fundraise while diving into the new year.
Jim O'Dell, executive director of the Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club, said proceeds from the 2022 plunge will go toward the purchase of new safety boat motors. It will be held at 11 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2022, at Lake Lanier Olympic Park.
The event revolves around jumping into the lake from docks at the park. O'Dell said it can be a fun challenge due to the colder temperatures of the lake during the winter season.
"This year looks like it's going to be pretty mild. The water is still mid-50s, but you know, that's on the surface," O'Dell said. "By the time you get down a few feet, especially if you're doing cannonballs, it can get a little challenging."
While the main focus of the Polar Bear Plunge has typically been the jump into the lake, the club is adding a fun new activity this time around.
"We're also offering a new year's paddle, the paddle right now is outpacing the plunge," O'Dell said. "We actually have more people to go out either in their own kayaks or in one of ours, and so we may have enough people to take a dragon boat out as well."
More details and a link to sign up for the event can be found here.
