Feel alive on New Year’s day with an island tradition: Orcas Island Rowing’s “Polar Bear Plunge.”

Residents and visitors alike charge headlong into Cascade Lake en masse. Within a few seconds they re-emerge happy that they accomplished the feat, shocked into a clearer perspective of the world and ready for what 2015 may bring. The plunge is open to all comers. All you need is the attitude! The event starts promptly at 11 a.m. on New Year’s day.

This year the theme for the event is “Disco Dive.”

There will be a hot fire and hot drinks to help with recuperation after the deed is done.

This year the plunge will be at the traditional location at the “swim area” at the north end of Cascade Lake. Easier access and parking and the big fireplace in the day use shelter make for a more comfortable location when there is a big crowd.

The event is a low-key fundraiser for the Orcas Island Junior Rowing Club. Donations are accepted.

Each year a commemorative T-shirt is created. This year’s features a design by one of the team’s rowers, Melanie Flint. She is a senior and it is her last year with Orcas Rowing.

The shirts will be available at the event, or by contacting the club. Some rare historical shirts from past years will also be available at the event. There are sponsorship forms available from the rowing club website, www.orcasislandrowing.org, in case you need some motivation to “take the plunge.”

“Let your friends and family know how brave you are and raise a few bucks for the junior rowing club. The club is always in  need of funds. It’s a win-win. Do the plunge for yourself and do it for Orcas Rowing,” say organizers.

This will be the 18th annual plunge. The first one was on Jan. 1, 1998. That year local sheriff’s deputies Ray Clever, Ed Commet and Herb Crowe were auctioned off to jump in the lake.

To buy shirts call Jay Zier at 376-4507 or email jayzier87@gmail.com.

For information, contact Martin Taylor at 376-6935 or martin@orcasdigerati.com or visit www.orcasislandrowing.org.