# Re: Taking the Plunge

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Posted by LeviLovR on January 05, 2020 at 08:50:00

In Reply to: Re: Taking the Plunge posted by Ry on January 05, 2020 at 03:59:59:

Yes, there were actually several young people there. There usually are quite a few teens at the polar dips. They think it's a lark. I've occasionally seen kids that may have been 8 or 9 years old. In fact as I was walking down to the beach there was a family walking ahead of me - Mom, Dad, two girls and a boy. Dad and the kids were all going in the water, but people of all ages do it. There was one elderly lady who did it as well. She was walking with a cane. There were rescue personnel there dressed in cold water survival suits. One of them supported her on one side and a young lady supported her on the other. She actually went all the way under and she was simply amazing.

Most people simply wear bathing suits and when they come out of the water put on warm things like hoodies, trackies etc. Things that are warm and they can pull on quickly. It is not uncommon to see lots of different costumes at polar plunges. At this one there were actually three people dressed in polar bear costumes and one in a walrus costume. They were walking around prior to the plunge and you could have your photo taken with them if you wanted to. Here we have a very large polar dip on New Year's Day called the lobster dip to benefit Special Olympics. You have to raise a minimum of $100 to participate and hundreds of people do it and you see all kinds of costumes there. I haven't done that dip in a long time. Too many people and too expensive. The one I usually do in February benefits an animal shelter. I usually see a lot of costumes there and certain groups of people raise money together and often dress alike or pick characters from a film or story. You never know what you are going to see. At the Lobster Dip you see a lot of people in lobster costumes.

My boots are the thing every body asks about. It happens everytime I wear them in the water, whether salt or fresh. I have several pairs of boots. I usually pick a pair and wear that pair until they eventually literally rot. I literally do nothing to them. Take them off and just let them dry. I often put them back on when still damp and wet to go back in the water again. Usually if you let them at least partially dry on your feet they remain supple and flexible.

The pair I wore yesterday I've had for several years and have been in the water several times. They are coming to the point where they will probably give up the ghost this summer. They do eventually become hard and cracked as you say. When hard and stiff I often fill them with water for a few minutes and let them sit to supple them up. Then I dump the water out and they go on quite easily. Probably sounds unpleasant to some people, but they are going to just get wet anyway.

I suppose they could be treated with oils and leather conditioners, but I never bother. When I buy boots I do so knowing they are going in the water and I buy the cheapest ones I can find. Most folks are really surprised when I tell them how little I actually paid and they look like very expensive boots. All I ever do is put normal shoe polish on them when they start to look dull or white. It's kind of funny really. I can be wearing my tux or I could be stark naked with nothing on but a pair of boots and people will comment on the boots every time.

There are plenty of vids on you tube of polar plunges all over the world if you want to watch them. Another "cool" activity is pond skimming, especially here in Maine where people ski down the mountain and across a body of water hoping to make it across to the other side. Lots of spills and chills if you know what I mean. Some of the skiers and snow boarders try to create a huge wake and soak the spectators on the sidelines. They usually hold these competitions in very early spring right before the ski resorts shut down for the season. Again, these can be seen on you tube as well.

Follow Ups:

- Re: Taking the Plunge LeviLovR 09:36:37 1/05/2020 (2)
  - Re: Taking the Plunge dunked 12:27:31 1/05/2020 (1)
    - Re: Taking the Plunge LeviLovR 15:46:46 1/05/2020 (0)

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