The Polar Plunge is not for the faint of heart-yet it warms the heart of Juneau’s community

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) – The twenty fifth annual College of Alaska Southeast’s Polar Plunge befell at Statter Harbor Saturday.

     UAS can also be holding a bonfire on the Noyes Pavillion Saturday night and a Treadwell skate open to college students solely. Nevertheless, the Polar Plunge was open to all of Juneau’s group from midday to 1 p.m.

Mallory Nash is the Scholar Engagement and Management (SE&L) Workplace Supervisor. She stated it was an excellent turnout with over 100 contributors.

“We do that yearly. That is our 25 years anniversary for this occasion and so we’re fairly stoked about it. We have got medals we’re giving out. I used to be somewhat bit frightened due to the climate clearly, but it surely’s gonna be chilly it doesn’t matter what,” she laughed. “So, I suppose contributors are like, it is whatever-we’re leaping. So folks have been displaying up in shorts and bathing fits, costumes. It is actually enjoyable.”

There have been methods to heat up after the Plunge.

“We now have scorching cocoa, we now have soup, potato soup, veggie soup, scorching canines. We bought our scorching tubs and music. Hopefully, the vitality goes in order that we simply really feel somewhat bit hotter than what the climate’s doing proper now.”

This was SE&L’s first yr bringing extra of a competition surroundings again to the Polar Plunge. It was impacted by the pandemic the place they could not embody inflatable scorching tubs and lunch. They did host the Polar Plunge final yr but it surely was restricted to college students solely and with out the additional festivities.

Capital Metropolis Fireplace and Rescue was on the scene in case of an emergency. Fortunately, Nash stated they have not wanted them up to now, and as we speak’s Polar Plunge was simply as clean (though snowier).

“CCFR, they assist out with ensuring like when folks get within the water they’re simply being protected and cautious. Being certain once they get out of the water nothing occurs, that kind of factor. In case anyone goes into shock or something like that simply to verify we’re protected,” she stated.

Ty Rapp-Cortese helped arrange the occasion and he’s a previous Polar Plunge participant. He spoke to his expertise.

“When it pays off like this, it is fairly wonderful. We had so many individuals right here that weren’t on campus which was positively so much totally different than final yr. Placing it collectively at 9 within the morning. It was a number of enjoyable. Mallory’s been placing her coronary heart into this so it has been very nice,” he stated. “It was like for the fast second you are in there, you are like…why am I doing this?! Then you definitely step out and also you’re glad you probably did it. It is not one thing lots of people get to do-perks of dwelling in Juneau,” he added.

One other perk of the Polar Plunge was sea lions may very well be seen within the distance waving their flippers, seemingly cheering on the plungers.

This yr’s Polar Plunge was about half group and half college students. Households and younger youngsters participated.

The water was 37 levels.

Above: Some contributors tried out water methods for his or her plunge. (Photograph credit score Jordan Lewis/KINY) Under: Spike the Whale was additionally included, strolling contributors slowly down the slick dock. (Photograph credit score Jasz Garrett/KINY)

Information of the North reporter and UAS scholar Jasz Garrett participated within the Polar Plunge Saturday. She’s additionally participated within the annual New 12 months’s Day Polar Plunge at Auke Rec. Under: Garrett warms up in a scorching tub after taking the Plunge and factors to her medal. (Photograph credit score Jordan Lewis/KINY)

Under: UAS college students stroll in a gaggle down the dock by way of the snow. (Photograph credit score Jordan Lewis/KINY)

Under: Some contributors saved sneakers on or Neoprene socks as they jumped to higher shield their toes from the sharp rocks. (Photograph credit score Jordan Lewis/KINY)