by MARTIN TAYLOR
Orcas Island Rowing
Start the New Year with a jolt and take part in a wonderful Orcas tradition: Orcas Island Rowing’s “Polar Bear Plunge.”
The hearty souls of Orcas charge headlong into Cascade Lake en masse. Within a few seconds they re-emerge shocked into a clearer perspective on the world and ready for what 2014 may bring. The plunge is open to all comers. All you need is the attitude! The event starts very promptly at 11 a.m. on New Year’s day. It is too cold to stand around in your skivvies, so be there early and ready to go!
This year the theme for the 17th annual event, should you choose to accept your assignment, is “The Morning After.” There will be a hot fire and hot drinks to help with recuperation after the dead is done.
This year the plunge will move back to 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 “Plunge” event is a low key fundraiser for the Orcas Island junior rowing club (OIR). Donations are accepted at the Plunge. Each year a commemorative tee shirt is created. This year features a very cool design by one of the team’s rowers Jay Zier. The tee shirts will be available at the Plunge, 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.
The first plunge 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. Since then there has been a theme for each event.
To buy shirts call Jay Zier at 376-4507 or email jayzier87@gmail.com. For information about the Plunge event call Martin Taylor 376-6935, email martin@orcasdigerati.com or check on the club website www.orcasislandrowing.org.
