Feb. 7 may have been the first day of competition for the 26th Winter Olympics but it was also the day an extreme sport took place in the waters of Lake Arrowhead. The occasion was the PolaRotary Bear Plunge, first started by Dr. Patrick Rains 17 years ago and sponsored since then by the Rotary Club of Lake Arrowhead.
Folks brave enough to take the plunge gather pledges from friends and family – many of whom are glad they don’t have to do the jumping. Those funds are split between the Lake Arrowhead Rotary Foundation and the jumpers’ charities of choice.
Rotarian Barry Hoy, the chair of the PolaRotary Bear Plunge, did not sit on the sidelines.
This year there were 127 jumpers who benefited 38 charities. Most of those charities were local but some were as far away as Colombia.
“I can’t believe how many of you are brave enough to jump,” Jeri Simpson, president of the Rotary Club of Lake Arrowhead said as the Plunge began. She noted that over the years the event has generated thousands of dollars.
Most of the jumpers sported costumes which ranged from lifeguards to toga-clad men.
Those toga-clad jumpers exhibited grace as they stood in line in the lake and then, showing their synchronized diving skills, jumped into the lake one by one. Their slogan: “When in Rome, we plunge.” They were raising money for the school Colombia Sin Fronteras, founded by the sister of one of the jumpers.
Their attention to detail in their costumes paid off as they won first place in the costume contest for teams of four or more. Second place went to the Mountains Community Hospital Foundation, whose jumpers were dressed as contestants on The Price is Right.
For teams of three or less, first place went to Rim Search and Rescue, second place to House of Ruth.
The first team to jump into the lake was sponsored by the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa. The last jumpers – as always – were Dr. Rains and his wife, Jo Bonita. They were joined by their grandsons. As Rotarian Joyce Patrick announced them, she gave Dr. Rains his due, calling him the “King of the Plunge.”
Jumpers were quick to take advantage of the hot tub following their plunge into the cold waters of Lake Arrowhead.
The jumpers came out of the 43-degree water all smiles but looking a bit chilly. They headed for the Resort’s hot tub to warm up.
“The weather was far from polar bear perfect,” said Rotarian Barry Hoy, the coordinator of this year’s event, “but for us two-legged type the warmer air and 43-degree lake water felt tolerable for a short splash. We plunged 127 registered jumpers comprised of 40 teams, all jumping for selected nonprofit organizations including the Lake Arrowhead Rotary Foundation, which itself supports many needs across our mountains and beyond.
“From my viewpoint,” said Hoy, “today’s 17th PolaRotary Plunge was a huge community success. The Rotary Club of Lake Arrowhead membership along with our key partners – the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa, Arrowhead Lake Association and Cold Water Rescue and Fire Department – offered all jumpers, their families, friends and community observers a real treat.
“Spreen Subaru topped our financial sponsors this year with a designated Diamond Level ($2,000) gift,” Hoy added. “San Bernardino County Supervisor Dawn Rowe recognized the popularity and outreach commitments of the event and was a Gold sponsor. There were 32 additional sponsors at three levels – all truly appreciated!”
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