Jumping into a frozen lake doesn’t immediately come to mind when formulating Valentine’s Day plans, but for participants at Ohio University’s 8th annual Polar Plunge, getting cold and wet was just the beginning of their steamy holiday.
The polar plunge, an annual event held by Special Olympics Ohio, raised over $20,000 thanks to teeth-chattering sacrifice of the 125 plungers, said Paige Ludwig, the organization’s marketing and development director.
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“Thankfully I have a honey to keep me warm later,” said Stephen Bell, a member of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity’s polar plunge team.
Participants were required to raise at least $50, which will go toward supporting Special Olympic events throughout the year.
To keep the plungers safe as they dive head first into Lake Snowden, in Albany, members of the Albany and Jackson fire department lined the water and beach, monitoring the event.
They had multiple safety measures in place, including everything from trained divers to insulated ice suits.
“The big thing we are looking for is if someone goes under,” said Brad Lowry, safety officer for the Jackson Fire Department.
Lowry said there isn’t much they can do to help the participants after their plunge is over, because they quickly flee to the warmest spot they can find.
“We just don't have time because they run so fast up the beach,” he said.
Marshal Willet, an OU student dressed in a wrestling singlet, was one of the plungers running up the beach after exiting the water.
“Once you get in there, everything just leaves. Your mind is f--king done,” Willet said. “I’m happy to do it for a reason though. This is a better reason than something to do with a girl.”
“It was a great day for Special Olympics,” Ludwig said. “Everybody had a good time. They were freezin’ for a reason.”
Sa587812@ohio.edu
@SethPArcher
