Comments on: Die Hard “Plungers” Ring in the New Year at Kirkland’s unofficial Polar Bear Plunge http://www.kirklandviews.com/archives/13166/ KIRKLAND NEWS | Daily news for the City of Kirkland, WA Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:45:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Per-Ola http://www.kirklandviews.com/archives/13166/#comment-62034 Per-Ola Thu, 07 Jan 2010 10:53:24 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=13166#comment-62034 Was in a car heading down to Portland, but would for sure "plunged" this year if I'd been home. Glad to see that this "event" took place even though it was not "official". But, on the other hand, it is just a "plunge", not a long distance swim. Does it really need to be official? Can't we go in the water w/o having medical staff around? Man's been swimming for thousands of years... Was in a car heading down to Portland, but would for sure “plunged” this year if I’d been home.
Glad to see that this “event” took place even though it was not “official”.

But, on the other hand, it is just a “plunge”, not a long distance swim. Does it really need to be official? Can’t we go in the water w/o having medical staff around?
Man’s been swimming for thousands of years…

]]> By: Per-Ola http://www.kirklandviews.com/archives/13166/#comment-66472 Per-Ola Thu, 07 Jan 2010 10:53:00 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=13166#comment-66472 Was in a car heading down to Portland, but would for sure "plunged" this year if I'd been home. Glad to see that this "event" took place even though it was not "official". But, on the other hand, it is just a "plunge", not a long distance swim. Does it really need to be official? Can't we go in the water w/o having medical staff around? Man's been swimming for thousands of years... Was in a car heading down to Portland, but would for sure “plunged” this year if I’d been home.
Glad to see that this “event” took place even though it was not “official”.

But, on the other hand, it is just a “plunge”, not a long distance swim. Does it really need to be official? Can’t we go in the water w/o having medical staff around?
Man’s been swimming for thousands of years…

]]> By: Julie D http://www.kirklandviews.com/archives/13166/#comment-62025 Julie D Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:47:52 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=13166#comment-62025 I've never been to a PBP, but have been seeing the articles in the Reporter for years, and applaud the aplomb of the participants. Just reading this article and comments, I felt compelled to comment myself, that it's really just weird that the government has gotten so involved in seemingly every aspect of our lives. I'm not really thinking this through ahead of time, so am just expressing some random thoughts, but I'm just wondering why an event like this has to be so fully orchestrated by the government. Obviously, as was shown here, people on their own are perfectly capable of organizing their own recreation, entertainment, what-have-you, and I'm wondering why we have become so dependent on the government for approval and support of such things, even to say it may not have been wise to do it as an unofficial event. That sounded to me like someone feeling pangs of guilt, like a child doing something behind the backs of those who had withheld support and permission. I don't mean this as a critique of anyone, just thoughts of how did we get here? Maybe the budget shortfall of the city which will require it to back off of some things in the coming years will turn out to be a good thing. Perhaps we the people can be more responsible for the city pride and not so much of it will have to rest upon or be given to the employees and council. I’ve never been to a PBP, but have been seeing the articles in the Reporter for years, and applaud the aplomb of the participants.
Just reading this article and comments, I felt compelled to comment myself, that it’s really just weird that the government has gotten so involved in seemingly every aspect of our lives. I’m not really thinking this through ahead of time, so am just expressing some random thoughts, but I’m just wondering why an event like this has to be so fully orchestrated by the government. Obviously, as was shown here, people on their own are perfectly capable of organizing their own recreation, entertainment, what-have-you, and I’m wondering why we have become so dependent on the government for approval and support of such things, even to say it may not have been wise to do it as an unofficial event. That sounded to me like someone feeling pangs of guilt, like a child doing something behind the backs of those who had withheld support and permission. I don’t mean this as a critique of anyone, just thoughts of how did we get here? Maybe the budget shortfall of the city which will require it to back off of some things in the coming years will turn out to be a good thing. Perhaps we the people can be more responsible for the city pride and not so much of it will have to rest upon or be given to the employees and council.

]]> By: Julie D http://www.kirklandviews.com/archives/13166/#comment-66471 Julie D Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:47:00 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=13166#comment-66471 I've never been to a PBP, but have been seeing the articles in the Reporter for years, and applaud the aplomb of the participants. Just reading this article and comments, I felt compelled to comment myself, that it's really just weird that the government has gotten so involved in seemingly every aspect of our lives. I'm not really thinking this through ahead of time, so am just expressing some random thoughts, but I'm just wondering why an event like this has to be so fully orchestrated by the government. Obviously, as was shown here, people on their own are perfectly capable of organizing their own recreation, entertainment, what-have-you, and I'm wondering why we have become so dependent on the government for approval and support of such things, even to say it may not have been wise to do it as an unofficial event. That sounded to me like someone feeling pangs of guilt, like a child doing something behind the backs of those who had withheld support and permission. I don't mean this as a critique of anyone, just thoughts of how did we get here? Maybe the budget shortfall of the city which will require it to back off of some things in the coming years will turn out to be a good thing. Perhaps we the people can be more responsible for the city pride and not so much of it will have to rest upon or be given to the employees and council. I’ve never been to a PBP, but have been seeing the articles in the Reporter for years, and applaud the aplomb of the participants.
Just reading this article and comments, I felt compelled to comment myself, that it’s really just weird that the government has gotten so involved in seemingly every aspect of our lives. I’m not really thinking this through ahead of time, so am just expressing some random thoughts, but I’m just wondering why an event like this has to be so fully orchestrated by the government. Obviously, as was shown here, people on their own are perfectly capable of organizing their own recreation, entertainment, what-have-you, and I’m wondering why we have become so dependent on the government for approval and support of such things, even to say it may not have been wise to do it as an unofficial event. That sounded to me like someone feeling pangs of guilt, like a child doing something behind the backs of those who had withheld support and permission. I don’t mean this as a critique of anyone, just thoughts of how did we get here? Maybe the budget shortfall of the city which will require it to back off of some things in the coming years will turn out to be a good thing. Perhaps we the people can be more responsible for the city pride and not so much of it will have to rest upon or be given to the employees and council.

]]> By: Rob Butcher http://www.kirklandviews.com/archives/13166/#comment-61979 Rob Butcher Sun, 03 Jan 2010 02:23:56 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=13166#comment-61979 Thanks Janis! I have not been able to locate the video on Kiro's website (I don't know if they even plan on posting it). If anyone finds it, please drop us a line and we'll link to it. Cheers! Thanks Janis! I have not been able to locate the video on Kiro’s website (I don’t know if they even plan on posting it). If anyone finds it, please drop us a line and we’ll link to it.
Cheers!

]]> By: Rob Butcher http://www.kirklandviews.com/archives/13166/#comment-66470 Rob Butcher Sun, 03 Jan 2010 02:23:00 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=13166#comment-66470 Thanks Janis! I have not been able to locate the video on Kiro's website (I don't know if they even plan on posting it). If anyone finds it, please drop us a line and we'll link to it. Cheers! Thanks Janis! I have not been able to locate the video on Kiro’s website (I don’t know if they even plan on posting it). If anyone finds it, please drop us a line and we’ll link to it.
Cheers!

]]> By: Brian Tucker http://www.kirklandviews.com/archives/13166/#comment-61975 Brian Tucker Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:18:00 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=13166#comment-61975 Thanks Rob, and Janis, for keeping this alive. I've watched off & on in the past , but was a virgin plunger this year. As much as I appreciated the deputies' presence, I found it ironic the County funded 2-3 employees from their Dive Unit to be there while the City stayed away. I hope they enjoyed watching! Thanks Rob, and Janis, for keeping this alive. I’ve watched off & on in the past , but was a virgin plunger this year. As much as I appreciated the deputies’ presence, I found it ironic the County funded 2-3 employees from their Dive Unit to be there while the City stayed away. I hope they enjoyed watching!

]]> By: Brian Tucker http://www.kirklandviews.com/archives/13166/#comment-66469 Brian Tucker Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:18:00 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=13166#comment-66469 Thanks Rob, and Janis, for keeping this alive. I've watched off & on in the past , but was a virgin plunger this year. As much as I appreciated the deputies' presence, I found it ironic the County funded 2-3 employees from their Dive Unit to be there while the City stayed away. I hope they enjoyed watching! Thanks Rob, and Janis, for keeping this alive. I’ve watched off & on in the past , but was a virgin plunger this year. As much as I appreciated the deputies’ presence, I found it ironic the County funded 2-3 employees from their Dive Unit to be there while the City stayed away. I hope they enjoyed watching!

]]> By: Janis http://www.kirklandviews.com/archives/13166/#comment-61974 Janis Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:09:57 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=13166#comment-61974 Hey Rob! Thanks for being a die-hard plunger! :-) I just spoke to my mom-she said she saw it on KIRO 7 at 11 last night. Hey Rob! Thanks for being a die-hard plunger! :-) I just spoke to my mom-she said she saw it on KIRO 7 at 11 last night.

]]> By: Janis http://www.kirklandviews.com/archives/13166/#comment-66468 Janis Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:09:00 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=13166#comment-66468 Hey Rob! Thanks for being a die-hard plunger! :-) I just spoke to my mom-she said she saw it on KIRO 7 at 11 last night. Hey Rob! Thanks for being a die-hard plunger! :-) I just spoke to my mom-she said she saw it on KIRO 7 at 11 last night.

]]> By: Rob Butcher http://www.kirklandviews.com/archives/13166/#comment-61972 Rob Butcher Sat, 02 Jan 2010 17:42:15 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=13166#comment-61972 A few weeks ago, Janis Rabuchin (<a href="http://kirklandweblog.typepad.com/kirkland_weblog/2009/12/to-all-the-diehard-polar-plungers.html" rel="nofollow">Kirkland Weblog</a>) contacted me about how we might still have a "plunge" even if the city cancelled the event. We both are avid plungers and I was happy to help promote the "unofficial" event since there would be no permits, no bonfire, no EMT, no coffee and hot chocolate... Janis reached out around town and Larry Springer and Penny Sweet generously opened <a href="http://www.thegrapechoice.com/" rel="nofollow">The Grape Choice</a> to all participants and gave us free coffee, hot chocolate and a place to warm up after the dip. This was not a city "event" but the sheriffs were there doing their job - providing public safety. Granted, our non-event might not have been wise, but everyone there certainly had a good time. Next year we will secure sponsors for this event and the 2011 Kirkland Polar Bear Plunge will be bigger than ever. Anyone interested in sponsoring, please let us know! Perhaps you will join us for a dip next year? Thank you to all who helped make this a fantastic non-event. ;-) A few weeks ago, Janis Rabuchin (Kirkland Weblog) contacted me about how we might still have a “plunge” even if the city cancelled the event. We both are avid plungers and I was happy to help promote the “unofficial” event since there would be no permits, no bonfire, no EMT, no coffee and hot chocolate…
Janis reached out around town and Larry Springer and Penny Sweet generously opened The Grape Choice to all participants and gave us free coffee, hot chocolate and a place to warm up after the dip.
This was not a city “event” but the sheriffs were there doing their job – providing public safety. Granted, our non-event might not have been wise, but everyone there certainly had a good time.
Next year we will secure sponsors for this event and the 2011 Kirkland Polar Bear Plunge will be bigger than ever. Anyone interested in sponsoring, please let us know! Perhaps you will join us for a dip next year?
Thank you to all who helped make this a fantastic non-event. ;-)

]]> By: Rob Butcher http://www.kirklandviews.com/archives/13166/#comment-66467 Rob Butcher Sat, 02 Jan 2010 17:42:00 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=13166#comment-66467 A few weeks ago, Janis Rabuchin (<a href="http://kirklandweblog.typepad.com/kirkland_weblog/2009/12/to-all-the-diehard-polar-plungers.html" rel="nofollow">Kirkland Weblog</a>) contacted me about how we might still have a "plunge" even if the city cancelled the event. We both are avid plungers and I was happy to help promote the "unofficial" event since there would be no permits, no bonfire, no EMT, no coffee and hot chocolate... Janis reached out around town and Larry Springer and Penny Sweet generously opened <a href="http://www.thegrapechoice.com/" rel="nofollow">The Grape Choice</a> to all participants and gave us free coffee, hot chocolate and a place to warm up after the dip. This was not a city "event" but the sheriffs were there doing their job - providing public safety. Granted, our non-event might not have been wise, but everyone there certainly had a good time. Next year we will secure sponsors for this event and the 2011 Kirkland Polar Bear Plunge will be bigger than ever. Anyone interested in sponsoring, please let us know! Perhaps you will join us for a dip next year? Thank you to all who helped make this a fantastic non-event. ;-) A few weeks ago, Janis Rabuchin (Kirkland Weblog) contacted me about how we might still have a “plunge” even if the city cancelled the event. We both are avid plungers and I was happy to help promote the “unofficial” event since there would be no permits, no bonfire, no EMT, no coffee and hot chocolate…
Janis reached out around town and Larry Springer and Penny Sweet generously opened The Grape Choice to all participants and gave us free coffee, hot chocolate and a place to warm up after the dip.
This was not a city “event” but the sheriffs were there doing their job – providing public safety. Granted, our non-event might not have been wise, but everyone there certainly had a good time.
Next year we will secure sponsors for this event and the 2011 Kirkland Polar Bear Plunge will be bigger than ever. Anyone interested in sponsoring, please let us know! Perhaps you will join us for a dip next year?
Thank you to all who helped make this a fantastic non-event. ;-)

]]> By: Downtowner http://www.kirklandviews.com/archives/13166/#comment-61970 Downtowner Sat, 02 Jan 2010 16:58:08 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=13166#comment-61970 <blockquote>Their report has yet to surface.</blockquote> No pun intended. I am sure. It's great that this took place after the city had cancelled funding. How did this event come to pass without the lifeguards and Kirkland police that were "required"? Was it unofficial? Were the sheriff''s deputies hired?

Their report has yet to surface.

No pun intended. I am sure.

It’s great that this took place after the city had cancelled funding. How did this event come to pass without the lifeguards and Kirkland police that were “required”? Was it unofficial? Were the sheriff”s deputies hired?

]]> By: Downtowner http://www.kirklandviews.com/archives/13166/#comment-66466 Downtowner Sat, 02 Jan 2010 16:58:00 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=13166#comment-66466 <blockquote>Their report has yet to surface.</blockquote> No pun intended. I am sure. It's great that this took place after the city had cancelled funding. How did this event come to pass without the lifeguards and Kirkland police that were "required"? Was it unofficial? Were the sheriff''s deputies hired?

Their report has yet to surface.

No pun intended. I am sure.

It’s great that this took place after the city had cancelled funding. How did this event come to pass without the lifeguards and Kirkland police that were “required”? Was it unofficial? Were the sheriff”s deputies hired?

]]> By: Rob Butcher http://www.kirklandviews.com/archives/13166/#comment-61969 Rob Butcher Sat, 02 Jan 2010 15:45:14 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=13166#comment-61969 I'd like to thank the King County Sheriff's Department for being at the beach yesterday morning. A Sheriff's boat patrolled the waters off the Marina and a vehicle was parked near the dock. There didn't seem to be anyone in need of assistance, but it is nice to know they were there just in case something happened. KIRO 7 News was also on hand interviewing swimmers. Their report has yet to surface. I’d like to thank the King County Sheriff’s Department for being at the beach yesterday morning. A Sheriff’s boat patrolled the waters off the Marina and a vehicle was parked near the dock. There didn’t seem to be anyone in need of assistance, but it is nice to know they were there just in case something happened.
KIRO 7 News was also on hand interviewing swimmers. Their report has yet to surface.

]]> By: Rob Butcher http://www.kirklandviews.com/archives/13166/#comment-66465 Rob Butcher Sat, 02 Jan 2010 15:45:00 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=13166#comment-66465 I'd like to thank the King County Sheriff's Department for being at the beach yesterday morning. A Sheriff's boat patrolled the waters off the Marina and a vehicle was parked near the dock. There didn't seem to be anyone in need of assistance, but it is nice to know they were there just in case something happened. KIRO 7 News was also on hand interviewing swimmers. Their report has yet to surface. I’d like to thank the King County Sheriff’s Department for being at the beach yesterday morning. A Sheriff’s boat patrolled the waters off the Marina and a vehicle was parked near the dock. There didn’t seem to be anyone in need of assistance, but it is nice to know they were there just in case something happened.
KIRO 7 News was also on hand interviewing swimmers. Their report has yet to surface.

]]>