Polar Bear - Seekers Ring In New Year With Plunge In 50 - Degree Water - Thrill

Thrill-seekers diamond ring with brand new year together with plunge in 50-degree water BY ANTONIE BOESSENKOOL Californian workforce contributor aboessenkool@bakersfield.com

Last Updated Sunday, Jan 01 2012 09:58 PM

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Alex Horvath / The Californian

Polar Bear drop participant Noah Ramirez, 10, can be wrapped up by way of his new mother Maria following this individual and many hundred people famous the fresh year by means of braving your nippy rich waters with your McMurtrey Aquatic Center.

Alex Horvath / The Californian

Patricia Almaraz, involving Wasco, is actually chilled because of the icy oceans from the McMurtrey Aquatic Center since your woman and many hundred some other daring men and women known the particular New Years time for the Polar Bear plunge.

Alex Horvath / The Californian

Mother along with son Georganna and also Jeffery Lewis famed your New Year's by way of particiapating on the Polar Bear plunge.

Alex Horvath / The Californian

Polar Bear dive recipient Molly Jiron, 10, aplauded the brand new year together with the girl household plus by simply braving your chilly oceans on the McMurtrey Aquatic Center.

Alex Horvath / The Californian

Polar Bear plunge participator Billie Joe Fox famous his 10th tumble whilst celbrating the modern 12 months simply by braving the chilly waters of the McMurtrey Aquatic Center.

Alex Horvath / The Californian

Steve Crouch celebrates his unofficial track record with eleven outings lower the fall for the Polar Bear in the McMurtrey Aquatic Center.

Seven-year-old Alyssa Crosey swam immediately to the borders on the billiards since speedy seeing that she could, plus has been viewed by simply the girl new mother along with a huge towel.

Alyssa has been one of several first to return decrease that fall and tumble directly into 50-degree mineral water for the McMurtrey Aquatic Center Sunday since component of the annual Polar Bear Plunge. Her dad, Kevin Crosey, adopted rapidly after.

"It kind associated with invigorates you," Kevin Crosey said after sliding off the road down. "It's fun. It facilitates (Bakersfield) Parks and (Recreation)."

Rick Darke reported he's done your drop because it started in 2006. "They point out (the water) can be 53 (degrees), and you truly can't notify the distinction involving 53 and 32 (degrees)."

Maneje Wolosz banded nervously in series unveiled her turn to ascend approximately the slide. "I never really know," your woman claimed as soon as asked why she'd voluntarily soar on the frosty water. "My brother in addition to my dad did the idea continue time, in addition to I wanted to take action too."

All in all, 146 participants braved that frigid water, and yet another 196 came around pertaining to moral support. The members could swim twenty-five meters towards the much edge of the puddle if they had that stamina, or get a speedier technique out. Some appeared for that borders to help pull independantly out there once your slide broke up with these individuals from the water. Afterward, many people covered up for scorching chocolate, as well as some posed by snow obstructions across the pool for shots to insurance policy his or her feat.

"I just wished to do it pertaining to fun," claimed 12-year-old Mackenzie Noe, who was doing that plunge for the first time. "It seemed to be freezing! Then while I became out, it was before shocking!" Mom Tammi Noe explained the girl had missed finding a photograph of her child coming down the actual slide, but Mackenzie failed to desire to proceed again. "Maybe future year. I never think I wish to accomplish this again this particular year."

The Bakersfield Recreation plus Parks Department has stored that Polar Bear Plunge because 2006, along with it truly is develop into more popular seeing that expression provides spread, said David Stricker, recreation boss the boss connected with aquatics to the department.

"It's growing every year that we are now completed it," Stricker said. "Everybody would like it. If anyone go around along our line, the majority of individuals have been below previous to (for the plunge) in addition to they're delivering friends, family, family by using them. So you'll find a huge coming back herd each year." Some people start cellular lining up an hour or so prior to a event begins, this individual said.

Usually spectators outnumber plungers 2-to-1, Stricker said. Some also lined upwards outside the walls to watch the particular expressions with shock on participants' looks as they quite simply reach the water.

The water temps for Sunday's function appeared to be 50 degrees, which will pool employees achieve by means of not warming the pool, Stricker said. Participants include ranged out of folks in their 80s to 7-year-olds, your dog said.

"It's your cool method to begin with the revolutionary year," your dog added. "It's definitely a wonderful experience. . If you may jump straight into rainy cool water while in the new year, after that a lot of in all likelihood you're about to prevent your different new year's resolutions."

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