Loyal, if somewhat odd, participants in the 19th annual Splash and Dash in Racine, Wisconsin were disappointed today. Organizers had to call off the event due to what is described as a “wall of ice” that made conditions unsafe for the folks who were willing – or crazy enough – to plunge into Lake Michigan on January 1st.
In 19 years, Thursday was the first time the Splash and Dash had been called off, said Ben Oksiuta, one of the organizers. He said the polar plunge was canceled because of unsafe conditions at the lakeshore.
Organizers called off the event at about 11:30 a.m. as hundreds of willing participants were gathering at North Beach. Oksiuta said a large ledge of ice at the shoreline made it difficult to allow lake access to the roughly 400 people who had signed up. That created a drop-off from the ice to the water.
“We had thought we would cut a hole in the ice,” he said. But there remained a concern about people being able to safely get back on shore.
“With so many people, we couldn’t have it under control,” Oksiuta said.
Disappointed contenders can console themselves in the fact that the fundraiser still benefited the chosen charities. They get to take credit without risking their lives, generally a good thing. Polar bear plunges and ice can be an unhealthy combination. Remember, it’s only funny until someone gets hurt. Then it’s hilarious.
19 years? Must be a name-change or someting.
I am sure there were people doing that in the 1960′s when I was stationed at Great Lakes (NTC? I forget the initials).
NTC Great Lakes looks better.
I blame global warmi-, ah, the illegal war for oil in Iraq. Oh – and tax cuts, too. And the Radical Religious Right. And Trig Palin’s plot to fire cruise missiles at the levees in New Orleans in order to kill baby seals and the snail darter.
Personally, I’m thinking the ivory-billed woodpeckers have to be involved somehow.
What nobody will admit: When the cancellation was announced, every single participant secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and then said out loud, “Oh, crap” (or words to that effect). “What a disappointment.”
The guy in the video looks like he hurt his head. Maybe he should put some ice on it.
The more well-known group in that area was the “Polar Bear Club” who used to go into Lake Michigan from Milwaukee.