Freezin' for a Reason
Annual Polar Plunge Raises more than $2,500 for Heating Needs

By Joel Frady

"I told you it was a bad idea!"

I heard these words from virtually everyone - my wife, boss and best friends - after I told them about jumping

into the pond at Ashe County Park in Jefferson on Saturday, Feb. 21, during the second annual Polar Plunge. The event, held in conjunction with the third annual Ice Bowl disc golf tournament, was a fundraising device in which 14 people - ranging from 10-year-old Sam Hudler to 69-year-old Allmuth "Curly" Perzell - all jumped into the near freezing waters of the pond to raise money for heating assistance in Ashe County.

An avid disc golfer, I had been excited about the bowl and the plunge since I first heard about the event last summer. But leading up to Saturday, I found myself dreading both events: the bowl because I'm not very good at disc golf, and the plunge because I had no idea how to mentally prepare to jump into a ridiculously cold pond.

I'm told that the water was 10 degrees colder than it was in 2008 by people, like West Jefferson Mayor Dale Hudler and Ashe County Parks and Recreation Director Joe Boccardy, who were either brave or crazy enough to repeat as plungers.

All I know is that it was brutally, terribly cold. I'm not sure there are words that can properly describe the feeling, but within about three seconds I could feel my body going numb. By the time I was able to swim the five strokes to the dock, I was so drained of energy that I needed the assistance of the Ashe County Rescue Squad just to get out of the pond.

If I would sum up the entire experience based on what my body told me when I hit the water - and in the many hours it took to recuperate - I would have to tell you it was one of the dumbest things I've ever done and that everyone was right to tell me it was a really bad idea.

But I wasn't the only jumper - 13 other brave/crazy souls also jumped into that terrifying water, knowing that by sacrificing the personal comfort of warmth they could help raise money for those who are cold in the worst place: home.

Boccardy said that though the turnout was well below 2008, he was happy with the results.

"It was awesome," he said. "I knew that the turnout was going to be low, but I wished that more people had jumped because it was such a perfect day."

Boccardy cannonballed into the pond, sending him deep into the water. He described the feeling as "like a thousand wasps stinging every square inch of your body. It's like the best acupuncture you could ever ask for."

Much like the event's turnout, the fundraising total was down. But the event raised $2,584 for Ashe Really Cares, which Boccardy said was a good number considering the economy.

"In times like these, any money is good money," he said, noting that he hopes some of the funds go toward sustainable heating sources in the county.

While I'm not sure that I agree with the plunge being "the best acupuncture" I could ask for, the entire event left me feeling alive. That feeling might be attributed to the shock of subjecting my body to that pond, but that wasn't all of it - it felt great to see that many people who all wanted to help out their community and weren't afraid to endure a little (very) cold to do so.

In that aspect, the event felt alive. We had fun jumping into that pond and, despite the advice of friends and family, I'd go so far as to say that I'd do it again.

In a way, I feel obligated to, because despite my dismal showing in the Ice Bowl (next to last in my division) I won the coveted "Best Costume" prize for my retro-journalist style (pictured). Perzell was the other winner, taking the prize for "Most Money Raised" with $900.

And if you've never jumped into an ice-cold body of water, it's an experience that is truly priceless - in its own way. So if you're brave, or crazy, maybe we'll see you out at the pond this time next year.

To find out more about the Polar Plunge, contact Ashe County Parks and Recreation at (336) 982-6185.

Special thanks to our freelance photographer, Steve Wright, for shooting the Polar Plunge while I was occupied otherwise. Any plungers interested in seeing more pictures of their historic leap can see all of Steve's shots by clicking to www.stevessportsshots.com.