Chilly Dip – Polar Bear Plunge draws 33

While most people wouldn?t consider an outside temperature of 48 degrees, and an only slightly warmer water temperature of 51 degrees, to be ideal conditions for a dip in the pool, it?s apparently just right for those who want to become members of the Polar Bear Club.

McMinnville Civic Center?s third annual Polar Bear Plunge drew 33 intrepid individuals, both young and old, to Gilley Pool for the mad dash in and out of the frigid water.

Civic Center recreation programmer Justin Scott said he was pleased with the response, which also included a Polar Bear Run and Walk. Many of the contestants in those events stayed around for the plunge.

?I think the race went really well,? Scott said. ?The runners seemed to enjoy it, and the plunge was great. It was cold, so that was good. It?s a Polar Bear Plunge, so that?s what it?s supposed to be, so I think it went really well.?

Participants agreed, including a couple of teens who also competed in the Polar Bear Walk.

?It was the coldest thing I?ve ever done, and the dumbest thing I?ve ever done,? said Zack Wanamaker, 14, with a grin. ?But I?ll be coming back next year and doing it again.?