The Polar Bear jump was a huge success at Highlands Community pool on Saturday, January 26th. The weather was gorgeous outside as the jumpers, who ranged from young teens to adults over forty, helped load the pool with large cubes of ice that floated throughout the pool.
You might ask why would anyone jump into cold water. Well, we asked the question and the answers varied:
Forty-five year old, John Hall, did it because it brought back memories of when he would
participate in the polar bear marathon years ago. Back then swimmers would get sponsors and swim 120 laps.
Mike Hitchcock the longest pool dweller has jumped in the past two years and says "It’s a good invigorating start to the new year!"
Claudia Hughes, who is over 40- has always wanted to jump into a cold pool. She by the way also wants to jump out of an airplane! Well, Claudia can mark one of those goals off her list.
Then there were people who jumped just because it sounded like a lot of fun. Like the five good buddies for over ten years, the young teens from the neighborhood, one of our account executives, and of course our fun and daring editor of the North Highlands News, John Walton!
Great fun was had by all and these jumpers didn’t just get in and out – they stayed in the water, swam laps, and went down the slide while some just jumped up and down.
Refreshments were provided by the North Highlands Park & Recreation District staff. Trust me, those swimmers needed the yummy hot chocolate to get warm!
After the jump all the participants received their pictures and a t-shirt to remember the fun and frigid event!
If you feel like you missed out, don’t fret! Just sign up for next year’s Polar Bear Swim! You won’t want to miss it!