UPDATE: What a fun event! For those who were there, we have a video and over 100 photos ready for you to enjoy. For those who are not members of the elite group of 2009 Plungers, start planning for next year! Kate and I had a blast and the water isn’t really that cold… well maybe it is that cold but I can’t remember the details right now (due to brain freeze). Thank you to gburd for sending in the video. And as always, thank you to Rick Takagi for sharing his 99 excellent photos of the 2009 Polar Plunge (you may download any you like without charge from the KirklandViews Photo Gallery). Enjoy.

 

Here are three photos I took from the Plunge. On the left is the best family costume with chicken hats, center is City Councilmember Bob Sternoff being a good sport and posing on a dare, and on the right is a photo of the crowd with Mike Meteer handing out Polar Plunge Patches to all who participated.

Here are three of the 99 photos taken by Rick Takagi. Please visit his site for many more.

It will require nerves of steel. And the courage to endure.

Chickens need not apply.

 

If you’ve wondered what it’s like to take a quick dip into chilly Lake Washington on the first day of the New Year, the City of Kirkland offers you the perfect opportunity to experience it yourself. The Polar Plunge, a wacky Kirkland tradition, takes place on New Year’s Day, 1:00 p.m., Marina Park, 25 Lakeshore Plaza.

Participation is free; no registration is necessary.

To take the chill off after the plunge, participants can warm up by a bonfire, sip a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy a free cup of soup, compliments of the Wilde Rover Irish Pub. To commemorate the dip, “plungers” will receive a 2009 Kirkland Polar Bear Patch. For event information, go to www.ci.kirkland.wa.us.

“Plungers” are encouraged to wear aqua socks or other foot protection. Lifeguards will be on duty. Non-perishable food donations will be accepted to benefit Hopelink’s Kirkland food bank. For most needed food bank items, go to www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/fooddrive.

For more information on this and other special events and recreation opportunities, please call (425) 587-3330. Kirkland Parks and Community Services Department is committed to providing recreation experiences for the entire family.

So, there are no more excuses. Hopelink needs your help and you need to shake out the cobwebs from New Year’s Eve. The Polar Plunge is a perfect match. It is actually a lot of fun so join us there! Yes, it’s crazy. Yes, the water is cold. Yes, it is a charity. Yes, it is free. 

The few. The proud. The Plungers.

See you there!

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