A cold reception at the PolaRotary Bear Plunge

By Sean Eshelman

Special to the Alpine Mountaineer

The weather the past couple of weeks has been just a bit anxiety-inducing. It’s not that we mountain folk aren’t expecting cold weather in February – far from it. But as one of the many jumpers in this year’s PolaRotary Bear Plunge on the shores of the Lake Arrowhead Resort, a sudden drop in temperature isn’t exactly welcomed in my book.

As the name suggests, the PolaRotary Bear Plunge is hosted by the Rotary Club of Lake Arrowhead. This year marks the third year I have been a part of this wonderful event that benefits a range of charities across the mountain. Each year, individuals and teams collect donations from family, friends and coworkers toward whatever cause they hold dear, culminating in fanfare and celebration as participants jump into the frigid winter waters of Lake Arrowhead.

For the third year in a row, I had the honor of being invited to jump for the Rim of the World Educational Foundation, an organization of individuals who strive to support the education, growth and future careers of students in the Rim of the World Unified School District. Whether it’s through their Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) initiative that works to increase college advancement for economically disenfranchised students, the Regional Occupational Program/Career Technical Education (ROP/CTE) that helps prepare students for their futures (college-bound or otherwise) or the Partnership with Schools grants, Rim Ed is a positive force to be reckoned with in our community.

As always, leading our team was living firecracker and Rim Ed President Jo Bonita Rains. She may be short, but she is not small in personality and kindness. And today she was rather annoyed at Mother Nature. I asked her if she was ready to jump.

Her beaming smile of a greeting suddenly went solemn after hugging me hello.

“I did not authorize ice this year, Mr. Eshelman,” she said with joking anger, as if I had personally brought temperatures down.

You see, the past two years have been rather balmy and lulled us into a false sense of security. In 2022 the highs were in the low 60s and, in 2023, mid-50s. This year, participants woke up to a whopping 35 degrees and roads filled with patches of ice.

There was definitely an air of tension in the Lake Arrowhead Resort lobby as I submitted my donations and paperwork (and it’s not at all unsettling reading and signing the liability waiver – what risk you say?). One man confidently strolled into the lobby in shorts and flip-flops.

“A bit brisk out there, guys!” he said, dripping with sarcasm.

As is tradition, both individual jumpers and teams dressed in costumes, some representative of the charities they represent, some just plain fun.

My teammates and I donned bright–blue graduation gowns, representing the Rim Ed’s commitment to student advancement. Representing Scots Lodge at Rim of the World Highschool was a pair of iconic Scottish Highlanders, plastic swords in hand, with one man looking strikingly close to William Wallace of Braveheart fame.

A friend of mine approached me in full military camouflage with a bright pink sash across his chest.

“Barbies and GI Joes are supporting the Elks Lodge,” he said without further explanation and walked off toward the bar for some liquid courage.

At one point the tune “YMCA” could be heard blaring through the lobby. Looking toward the registration desk, I could see a group of leathered, feathered and safety vest-clad dancers performing the iconic dance. Representing the Blue Jay Jazz Foundation, “The Village People” (get it?) would go on to win Best Group Costume for this year.

Participants started gathering downstairs to meet with their teams and take pictures courtesy of Lake Arrowhead Rotarians. Soon it was time to make the final walk through the Resort grounds down to make our plunge. Pulsing, upbeat music courtesy of DJ Clay could be heard down at the swim beach as we walked down the stairs. Given that many of us were only wearing bathing suits under our gowns, the cold was absolutely biting.

“It’s about 35 degrees outside and 41 degrees in the water,” co-emcee Stacey Lippert stated. “This means you will be warmer in the water than you are right now.”

Was that supposed to encourage us?

Before participants were announced and began their jumps, a moment of silence was taken for fellow Rotarian, philanthropist and beloved Lake Arrowhead Elementary School teacher Cheryl A. Johnstone Moxley Shaw Harrison. She passed away unexpectedly on Monday, Jan. 29.

A fixture of the community, Cheryl was well known for her involvement in a range of community and local-based initiatives from having served as president of Rotary Club of Lake Arrowhead to sitting on the board of Mountain Community Hospital, to name just two of her many passions.

“And as many of you know, she was a well-loved teacher right here at Lake Arrowhead Elementary for about 150 years,” Stacey Lippert said as the crowd laughed knowingly.

“I know she’s watching over us all now,” Lippert said and participants bowed their heads in remembrance.

As the silence was broken and DJ Clay’s music resumed, co-emcee Marc Lippert began reading names of teams getting ready to jump into the frigid waters. One by one, folks dashed (and in some cases tip-toed) into the lake.

The anticipation was a challenge; at this point I was freezing and just wanted to get this over with. But soon enough our team was called. I followed my teammates at a jog, graduation gown and hat both flying in the wind. As I dove into the water, I tore my hat off and threw it into the air triumphantly, landing in the icy water.

After retrieving my hat (I don’t litter), I followed my compatriots back up the beach to my waiting towel and bathrobe. Now it was time for the hot tub, courtesy of the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With another Plunge on the books, my team and I basked in another challenge met, not to mention the feeling of being a part of something larger. The common sentiment: We all had so much fun doing something great for those in need and would be back for more next year.

Who knew that something so cold could make one feel so much warmth in the community?

Editor’s note: Nearly 130 hardy folks jumped into Lake Arrowhead, benefiting 32 charities.