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It was twenty years ago today...
January 1, 2006
by Steve Kastner
JACKSONPORT, WI - The
first Jacksonport Polar Bear, JR Jarosh is in high spirits today as several hundred hearty souls have turned out
for a noon dip in Lake Michigan.
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In 1986 he was the sole and founding member of a club that has grown to
be one of the largest in the world. |
On that day the air temperatures were recorded at 22° F. Today in Jacksonport it's 15 degrees warmer, but the
water remains still at 32°. The calm conditions and freezing water temps have created a number of shoreline
access problems, from a steep shelf of ice at the water's edge to a 50' strip of sea shell ice floes making it
impossible to enter the water.
The Jacksonport Fire Department crew has been working since 8 AM to clear
the ice and erect temporary snow fencing blockades to make a swimmers' safety zone.
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After a diligent inspection Fred, the official safety clown announces there
is now a Healthy
Way to deep water. |
Air temps at 37° F, the warmest on Jacksonport Polar Bear record, encourage Janelle Peotter-Webber to relax
with her cuddly mascot as she waits for the clock to tick towards noon.
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Another furry mascot keeps an eye on the clock while his hairy humans pose
for the camera. |
| Chris Woldt spots a hunk as she advances toward the water and the clock
approaches high noon. |
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Five! Four! Three! Two! One! It's twelve o'clock noon and this year approximately 500 Jacksonport Polar Bears start
to whoop, filling the air with shouts as they make their way down into the water.
This year attendance is down slightly.
Some say it's due to a timing conflict with the Packers' vs Seahawks game also scheduled to kick off at noon.
Getting in is easier than getting back out, but a wet polar bear is even more motivated than a dry one.
"Sweet talking guy, talking sweet kinda lies
Don't you believe in him, if you do he'll make you cry."
...good advice from the Chiffons.
Beauty and the beasts... plan now to attend next year's splash event.
For more information, contact that first swimmer, club President, J.R.
Jarosh, 6289 Hwy. 57, Jacksonport, Wi. 54235. phone 920.823.2231 email jarosh@charter.net.
Find out more... including "8 Helpful Hints For Swimmers" and
details on each previous year's swim at Laddie
Chapman's Jacksonport Polar Bear Club Web site. There you
can see photos of a fellow who "popped the question" and a gal who accepted his ring after their leap
in the lake. Laddie is also producing a DVD of the entire swim that he will provide at a nominal fee.
LINKS:
Thrill seekers take the chilly plunge
Hundreds join Polar Bears in jump into lake
By Andy Behrendt
Newcomers
Take the Polar Bear Plunge
Door County Compass Polar Bear Scrabook...
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