A record-breaking number of Elon University students leaped into the frigid water of Lake Mary Nell on Thursday in the 8th annual Polar Bear Plunge. Just shy of 150 students registered for the community event, with organizers awarding more than two dozen gift cards to area merchants and participants walking away with free T-shirts.
In the middle of what has been an unusually cold and snowy winter in North Carolina, plunge organizers found the weather on Jan. 20 to be relatively balmy. That may have played a role in convincing many of the lake jumpers to trek to the area outside the Harden Dining Hall for the noon program.
The Polar Bear Plunge is the only time of year when students are permitted into the lake.
Sponsored by the North Area Council and the Resident Student Association, T-shirts were distributed on a first come, first served basis to those who hit the water. Participants won prizes by snagging colorful rubber boats tossed in the lake between heats of seven students, with gift cards to local stores and restaurants including Target, Starbucks, Chili’s, Barnes & Noble and Sonic.
“This is a perfect day,” said Elon senior Tracy Schell, a co-organizer of the event. “I’ve seen this event grow, and it brings people together. A lot of upperclassmen come back, even just to watch, and the mingling of upperclassmen with freshmen and sophomores is great.”
Free T-shirts aside, students cited other reasons for donning swimsuits in the middle of winter.
“It’s an Elon tradition,” said Maggie Achey, a freshman from Charlotte, N.C., who took part in the plunge with several of her friends from her residential complex, including freshman Kristen Bryar. “It builds community!” said Bryar, a native of Crystal Lake, Ill. “And it helps you feel more connected to your school.”
“I consider it a new fitness program,” said David Krohe, a junior from Baltimore County in Maryland. “You jump in the water and it’s so cold that it tightens everything up!”
After eight years, the plunge is also catching the attention of prospective students. It’s one of the things that current freshman Jon Bolstridge of Southborough, Mass., learned of last year on a visit to campus.
“I remember hearing about this when I was touring the school,” he said as he dried off a few yards from shore. “I thought it’d be fun since I’d never done it. But I don’t know if I’ll do it again next year!”