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It has been an American tradition to swim in freezing water on New Year’s Day for at least 100 years, probably more.
An early recorded Polar Bear Swim in 1903 at Coney Island was led by fitness guru Bernar MacFadden, who said that “health-wealth is our greatest asset,” and a winter dip in the ocean was a “boon to one’s stamina, virility and immunity.”
Organized swims continue to occur nationally. In California, thousands of people (not polar bears) plunge into the Pacific Ocean and other waterways from Redding to La Jolla. Perhaps a few of you have participated in the traditional swim in Chico’s Bidwell Park?
It seems there are more comfortable ways to wash away the woes of the past year. For some Lake of the Pines residents, however, a short swim in icy water is the only way to demonstrate resolve and begin the New Year with a clear head.
The annual LOP Polar Bear Swim was held Thursday. According to Ralph Kendrick, who announced the event, the Higgins Fire Department’s EMT was on hand as an added precaution. Ralph, an avid swimmer and retired Navy captain, prefers not to get into the water himself and monitors the swim from his kayak.
Swimmers who were officially registered received the commemorative towel provided by the LOP Activities Department, but many other renegades joined the fun by splashing their way around the buoy which was placed 35 or 40 feet from the shore.
Rebecca Volek, an eighth grader from Magnolia Intermediate School and member of the local Piranhas Swim Team, was reportedly the first one out of the water. Rebecca has braved the icy waters of LOP for at least five New Year’s Days.
“Did you see how fast I was swimming to get out?” Rebecca asked her mother, Sheila, as she exited the lake. They told me the temperature of the lake was 44 degrees, two degrees colder than last year.
Another seasoned swimmer, Bill Swensen, 85, has participated every year except last year, when he had a broken leg. His wife thinks “he’s a little crazy,” said Bill, but he believes if he stops swimming he “probably won’t get started again.” He also feels continuing this activity is a “matter of surviving my advanced age.”
You can still celebrate 2009 by participating in another LOP tradition: Joining friends and family in a feast of fresh crab. On Saturday, the LOP Pinesmen will host their annual Crab Feed at the Clubhouse.
A report on the West Coast crab harvest was released last Monday by the Associated Press: The 2008 harvest was poor due to a low point in the natural cycle of crab populations. This phenomenon has been particularly devastating to fishermen because demand for crab also has decreased due to economic conditions.
Len Ulloa, who has headed the feed for the nine years, said he had no problem obtaining enough crab for this year — 800 pounds bulk — even though the harvest was low in some areas.
Lou expects to have some tickets left to sell this week. The party begins at 6 p.m. with cocktails, and dinner is served at 7 p.m. The $35 cost includes salad, shrimp cocktail, pasta and crab. Call Len at 268-0494.
Laura Lavelle’s column is for Lake of the Pines area residents to share thoughts and information. Contact her at lavelle@cebridge.net or leave a message at 477-4230.
An early recorded Polar Bear Swim in 1903 at Coney Island was led by fitness guru Bernar MacFadden, who said that “health-wealth is our greatest asset,” and a winter dip in the ocean was a “boon to one’s stamina, virility and immunity.”
Organized swims continue to occur nationally. In California, thousands of people (not polar bears) plunge into the Pacific Ocean and other waterways from Redding to La Jolla. Perhaps a few of you have participated in the traditional swim in Chico’s Bidwell Park?
It seems there are more comfortable ways to wash away the woes of the past year. For some Lake of the Pines residents, however, a short swim in icy water is the only way to demonstrate resolve and begin the New Year with a clear head.
The annual LOP Polar Bear Swim was held Thursday. According to Ralph Kendrick, who announced the event, the Higgins Fire Department’s EMT was on hand as an added precaution. Ralph, an avid swimmer and retired Navy captain, prefers not to get into the water himself and monitors the swim from his kayak.
Swimmers who were officially registered received the commemorative towel provided by the LOP Activities Department, but many other renegades joined the fun by splashing their way around the buoy which was placed 35 or 40 feet from the shore.
Rebecca Volek, an eighth grader from Magnolia Intermediate School and member of the local Piranhas Swim Team, was reportedly the first one out of the water. Rebecca has braved the icy waters of LOP for at least five New Year’s Days.
“Did you see how fast I was swimming to get out?” Rebecca asked her mother, Sheila, as she exited the lake. They told me the temperature of the lake was 44 degrees, two degrees colder than last year.
Another seasoned swimmer, Bill Swensen, 85, has participated every year except last year, when he had a broken leg. His wife thinks “he’s a little crazy,” said Bill, but he believes if he stops swimming he “probably won’t get started again.” He also feels continuing this activity is a “matter of surviving my advanced age.”
You can still celebrate 2009 by participating in another LOP tradition: Joining friends and family in a feast of fresh crab. On Saturday, the LOP Pinesmen will host their annual Crab Feed at the Clubhouse.
A report on the West Coast crab harvest was released last Monday by the Associated Press: The 2008 harvest was poor due to a low point in the natural cycle of crab populations. This phenomenon has been particularly devastating to fishermen because demand for crab also has decreased due to economic conditions.
Len Ulloa, who has headed the feed for the nine years, said he had no problem obtaining enough crab for this year — 800 pounds bulk — even though the harvest was low in some areas.
Lou expects to have some tickets left to sell this week. The party begins at 6 p.m. with cocktails, and dinner is served at 7 p.m. The $35 cost includes salad, shrimp cocktail, pasta and crab. Call Len at 268-0494.
Laura Lavelle’s column is for Lake of the Pines area residents to share thoughts and information. Contact her at lavelle@cebridge.net or leave a message at 477-4230.
