KELSEYVILLE — There was a chill in the air at Lakeside County Park in Kelseyville Saturday for the 11th annual Polar Plunge. People slowly gathered and registered; some wearing costumes of animals, some with Marvel comics symbols, a 1920s bathing suit, two blow-up polar bears and many others along with plenty of bathing suit shorts, when it was all done, 51 participants had raised a collective $18,613 benefitting Special Olympics in Lake County.
Outdoors columnist Terry Knight, an observer not a plunger, said the lake temperature was 42 degrees Fahrenheit and the lake was clear. During the 2019 Polar Plunge, he said the water temperature was the same, although the air temperature was much warmer, with the sun shining.
Children and dogs played at the park before the judging of best costumes got underway. Six-year-old Kenzie Stansberry didn’t care about the weather as she sunbathed on the sand. Garret Scott, 14, tossed rocks into the lake further down the beach. One little girl in a green tutu played in the water.
Supervisor Tina Scott, dressed in a 1920s red and white swimsuit, showed off her outfit and white parasol, standing next to ‘farmer’ Brock Falkenberg, County superintendent of schools, who brought an entire herd of animals from Old Mac Donald’s farm.
Scott said this was her second Polar Plunge. The lake had flooded for her first polar plunge, so the fire department hosed everyone down with a fire hose. She brought three of her children and her husband, Doug, but none opted to plunge. Doug Scott said, “I can’t jump in because I have to watch the kids.”
“Yeah, the teenage kids!” quipped Scott.
Many community organizations participated in teams; Hartley Masonic Lodge, Lakeport Kiwanis, People Services, Konocti Lioness Club, Early Lake Lions, Lakeport Lions and Kelseyville Lions, and Konocti CrossFit.
People Services came dressed as chickens. They said chickens don’t swim, so they stayed on the beach. Lake County Probation and California Highway Patrol also participated in Marvel and DC Comics outfits; Super Woman, several Supermen, Catwoman, Batman and Robin, Thor (Jeramy Moore, deputy probation officer), who last year was a mermaid who couldn’t swim because of his tail.
Many were repeat plungers. Rudy Vega, 69, a plunger for all 11 years came bare-chested without last year’s pink ballerina tutu. Bill Kearney and Dana Kearney came as a pair of blow-up polar bears. He said, “I don’t know if I can swim in this, but if I can’t I’ll just float.” Since walking was difficult in their outfits, they started the run to the lake at the water’s edge. Dana said she was only going ankle-deep as she was worried about falling.”
The Kelseyville Fire Department was on hand to help with any medical problems. “They’ve come every year,” said Peggy Buchholz, the Lake County Polar Plunge director, along with Steve Buchholz. “The plunge doesn’t start without them.”
Judges Steve Hedstrom and Robert McAllister walked down the line of participants, checking each costume. “This is one of the toughest decisions, because everyone looks so good and creative,” said McAllister.
In the final decision, John Lahti, dressed as a pirate, (who works at Lakeport Safeway) won the Best Costume award. The best team costume award went to Lake County Probation with all their Superhero costumes.
The mad rush to the lake didn’t stop at the water’s edge. Participants charged through the waist-deep water, some diving all the way under, everyone shouting loudly and laughing. On the way back to the beach, twin sisters Pricilla and Lucy Castro, 49, laughed loudly until Pricilla pushed Lucy over, dunking her. Lucy screamed bloody murder but was calmed by others around her. As they sat on a park bench to dry off, Pricilla told Lucy, “You can knock me over next year.”
After people dried off, many headed to the Kelseyville Lion’s club where the club provided a barbecue lunch, as they’ve done for the last 11 years.
Awards were given out by Robert Saderlund. The top fundraising teams were Lake County Probation with $2,260 and Lake County Office of Education with $1,320.
The top individual fund raiser was once again, Tony Wymer with $5,181. He works at Mar-Val Sentry Market in Nice. He said, with his award in his hand and a big smile on his face, “I feel good. I got first place and an award. Thank you for the Olympics.”
Lahti said, “It’s great. I raised money for Lake County. I enjoyed it so much. It’s a lot of fun. It’s absolutely amazing that people raised money for us. It was fun.”
Cathy Saderlund, volunteer area director, said, “The Polar Plunge supports the six sports we strive to offer each year; basketball, track and field, bocce, golf, softball and soccer. We have a great group of volunteers who serve over 80 athletes countywide and we’re always looking to serve more athletes in our community.
“Anyone interested in volunteering, coaching or joining Lake County Special Olympics can visit sonc.org for more information about the programs throughout Northern California, follow the links for Lake County information, or visit us on Facebook at Lake County Special Olympics.”
Donations are still open at their website: https://www.specialolympics.org/programs/united-states/northern-california
