2009 Polar Bear Jump
Here it comes! Plan your trip out to Seward this weekend (2 1/2 hours drive South of Anchorage on the Kenai Peninsula) for the 24th annual Polar Bear Jump. The plunge begins at 12:30. Gather at the docks... you'll see the crowd... and the ambulance on the ready.
Jumpers can consider themselves lucky that we have shaken off the cold snap that was keeping temperatures way below zero for the past few weeks. Heck, it's 40 degrees warmer at my house, from a frosty -20(F) to a balmy 20(F) above zero today.
Here's the skinny... crazy people with big hearts plot and plan and raise money for the American Cancer Society and Children with Cancer Programs by gathering sponsors, dressing up in individual and team themed costumes and then jump into the icy ocean water in Seward, Alaska. They dress up and parade down through the town with gleeful giggles at their own folly. Divers in dry suits wait in the water for those too frozen to get themselves out of the water. EMT's stand by in case they are needed. Lots of less brave, but very supportive, onlookers gather to watch the crazies jump. Later prizes are awarded for best costumes and best plunge style. There is a YOU TUBE posting for the event 2 years ago that is decent... once the jumpers start going. Just hang on through the first bit as they organize on the dock. A 2nd YOU TUBE posting from last year has no sound, but plenty of jumping... again you have to get through the "intro."
It seems that the whole town gets into the spirit of the event. Hotel Seward (800) 440-2444 even donates $10 a room night and provides a shuttle to the docks for those coming to town for the event. In addition to the jump on Saturday, there is a bazaar, children's carnival, turkey bowling (you read that right... think frozen turkeys), lip sync contest, oyster shucking contest, and karoke contest. Most of these events directly benefit the Cancer organizations listed above.
If you spend the night and are in need of a hair cut, you may qualify for a free one... If your hair has 10 or more inches to spare, stop by the Breeze Inn Motel between 1 - 3 PM on Sunday and donate your hair to a child with cancer (to be made into a wig). Call 907-224-5230 for more info on that.
