The Fort Frances Lions Club’s “Polar Plunge” likely will become a New Year’s Day tradition here after hundreds of people turned out yesterday to watch nine people brave the icy waters of Rainy Lake to raise money for local causes.
“It was great. We’ve already had lots of people tell us they’ll be there next year,” said organizer Jim Martindale, past president of the local Lions Club.
“The highlight of the event was that we had such a good crowd,” he added. “We had people say, ‘That’s not so bad–I can do that.’”
Val Martindale, who co-organized and emceed the inaugural event, estimated there were well over 200 spectators lining the government dock at Pither’s Point or inside La Place Rendez-Vous.
Equally important, the “plungers” raised some $2,400 in pledges, which means both the Fort Frances Aquanauts and the Lions’ youth programs will get about $800 each after expenses (including advertising, prizes, and renting the hot tub).
Martindale raised the most among the participants–$760–while Dale Gill was next ($508).
And organizers weren’t the only ones excited about the event.
“It was a thrilling experience. It was well-organized, and hopefully, it will become an event that we’ll have every year,” noted Andrew Hallikas, who took the plunge wearing only swimming trunks.
But that should come as no surprise to those who know Hallikas–a self-proclaimed Finn through and through.
“Actually, I’ve done it almost every year. It’s something all good Finns would love to do,” he remarked.
“It wasn’t that terrible,” noted Brendan Cumming, a Fort High senior who also swims with the Aquanauts. “I thought it was a great time.
“Everyone was a little crazy for doing it,” he added, referring to the wild garb on some of the other participants, such as the Bob and Doug McKenzie look-alikes Mike Noonan and John Cox and voyageur Owen Johnston.
Cumming raised $269 in pledges.
Jim Martindale took part in a similar event in British Columbia last January.
“Actually, it was warmer than last year’s. Jumping in isn’t as bad as having to walk in,” he said, noting participants have to wade into the water from the shore at the B.C. event
“People were really into it, with the costumes and all,” echoed Val Martindale.
The prize for best costume went to Maureen Hahkala, who dressed as “Raggedy Ann.” Several spectators judged the plungers’ get-ups, which also ranged from John Dutton in a girls’ Aquanauts swimsuit to a polar bear suit worn by Gill.
The Martindales noted sometimes bulkier costumes weren’t necessarily the best bet.
“Mike Noonan and John Cox found it’s colder to jump in with clothes because when you get out of the water, you stay wet,” Jim Martindale said.
“Others, like Andy Hallikas, just wore trunks, and were fine,” he added.
“We were fortunate there was no wind,” added Val Martindale.
In fact, both agreed the weather couldn’t have been better. “The sun really makes a difference–not only is it, of course, warmer, but it really lifts the spirit, gets the people out,” Jim Martindale reasoned.
Several sponsors, including Howarth’s Home Centre, Sight & Sound, Canadian Tire, Terry and Ken Munn, and the Rendez-Vous, helped make the event happen.
The ice was drilled by Lions member Dick Bird.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
