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Taking the plunge
Three years ago Kevin Turner and Gavin Brown thought jumping into the freezing waters of the Shenandoah sounded like a refreshing way to start the New Year. They still think it’s a good idea.
The first year dive had freezing weather, but last year was milder. They were hoping for a repeat this year and they got it. The air temperature high for New Year’s Day 2008 was 47 degrees. The water temperature was 36 degrees.
Seven people participated in the plunge the first year. Since then, the numbers have grown as word of mouth reaches more family members and friends. This year 35 people participated. Wearing Speedos, bathing suits or sweats, participants yell “One, two, three, jump!” as they spring off the dock in the Turner’s backyard.
Kevin Turner's wife, Lisette, said that freezing bodies jumping into the river isn't always a pretty sight. “We’re not all air-brushed,” she said.
The only criterion is that participants must be completely submerged. There is no time limit. Most people get in and get out not wanting to swim laps, but just take a dive. Kevin Turner said that oftentimes he and several others dive under at different times throughout the day.
“We spent an hour to two hours going in and going out,” he said.
In the days leading up to the New Year, friends, relatives and acquaintances have been asking him whether or not he was going to dive again. He said he thinks interest is growing.
Turner is quick to add that the experience is all in fun. No one has ever gotten sick from the extreme cold. “Even if they did, they would never admit it,” said Brown’s wife, Tracy. “That would be too wimpy.”
Tracy added that there are just as many women participants as men. She said there aren’t many complaints about the temperature, but when there are they generally come from men. “Of course, women are always stronger,” she said.
Before the plunge, friends and families set up a tent with wood stoves that crank out much needed heat. The tent functioned as a changing station for wet clothes.
“We get together, set-up the tent, make it hot in there, have a few mimosas and bloody Mary’s and everybody tries to convince everybody else [to jump],” said Lisette Turner.
Afterward the participants take a group photograph and have a New Year’s Day brunch. Everyone brings a dish. Lisette Turner said she hopes that in the following years they will be handing out T-shirts as well as awarding a King and Queen Diver with bathrobes. Criteria haven’t been determined for those positions yet.
Lisette Turner said her husband had been preparing cold showers for himself in preparation for the event. She explained that he was "in polar bear training.”
Contact the reporter at hhager@timespapers.com.
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