Thursday, January 1, 2015
It’s become a tradition over the past 18 years to don bathing suits and brave the cold on New Years Day to jump into Lake Lanier. Around 150 people, some dressed in costume, while others sporting New Years regalia, flung themselves into the 50 degree water during the Polar Bear Plunge at the Lanier Canoe & Kayak Center in Gainesville. I have covered this event for a few years now and it’s always interesting to see who shows up for the challenge.
Miranka Van Hintum (right) cuddles up next to Kris Kazecki before jumping into Lake Lanier during the 18th annual Polar Bear Plunge at the Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club in Gainesville on Thursday, January 1, 2015.
Jim Henson prepares to jump into Lake Lanier during the 18th annual Polar Bear Plunge at the Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club in Gainesville on Thursday, January 1, 2015.
Elizabeth Bucari (left) and Mike Nolan jump into Lake Lanier during the 18th annual Polar Bear Plunge at the Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club in Gainesville on Thursday, January 1, 2015.
Marrette Winters (left) and Traci Thomas jump into Lake Lanier during the 18th annual Polar Bear Plunge at the Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club in Gainesville on Thursday, January 1, 2015.
Kendall Grattan (left), her sister Annalee, Gracyn Potter and others prepare to jump into Lake Lanier during the 18th annual Polar Bear Plunge at the Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club in Gainesville on Thursday, January 1, 2015.
Zoie Tisdal (left), Conner Galbraith, his sister Rylie and their father Shane jump into Lake Lanier during the 18th annual Polar Bear Plunge at the Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club in Gainesville on Thursday, January 1, 2015.
Jenny McClellan (left) follows her daughter Alex (right) and Sherri Kemmerer into Lake Lanier during the 18th annual Polar Bear Plunge at the Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club in Gainesville on Thursday, January 1, 2015.
Kendall Grattan (left), her sister Annalee, Gracyn Potter and others hold hands as they jump into Lake Lanier during the 18th annual Polar Bear Plunge at the Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club in Gainesville on Thursday, January 1, 2015.
Melissa Gabriel swims towards the ladder after jumping into the 50 degree water of Lake Lanier during the 18th annual Polar Bear Plunge at the Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club in Gainesville on Thursday, January 1, 2015.
Traci Thomas climbs out of Lake Lanier after jumping into the 50 degree water during the 18th annual Polar Bear Plunge at the Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club in Gainesville on Thursday, January 1, 2015.