Polar Bears Hit The Water For Special Olympics

Polar Bears Hit The Water For Special Olympics

Story and Photographs by Bob & Cindy Savage

Publication Date: March 1997

Lewes, Delaware is a community rich in American History. Founded in the early 1600's, Lewes is located at the mouth of the Delaware Bay. Cape Henlopen, which is now a state park east of town, separates the Delaware Bay from the Atlantic Ocean. South of Cape Henlopen is Gordon's Pond State Park. Both of these parks are loaded with deer and numerous other types of wildlife.

On February 2, 1997, Cape Henlopen was taken over by another large group of mammals. Polar Bears had taken over the park to help raise money for a very special cause...the 6th Annual Polar Bear Plunge, sponsored by the Lewes Polar Bear Club, to support the Delaware Special Olympics.

Arriving early, we were able to meet with many of the Polar Bears to discuss their involvement with the Club and the Special Olympics. Dave Frederick, President of the Lewes Polar Bears, told Extremz that the Lewes Club has been around for twelve years. The club has approximately 200 members that meet on the first Sunday of each month for their swim. We were also able to meet with the oldest Polar Bears there. Both 77-year-old Jim Hajek of Milton, DE and 71-year-old Ruth DuAme, of Rehoboth Beach, DE, belong to the Lewes Polar Bears and have taken part in all the events for the Special Olympics.

Numerous state officials were on hand and were also taking part. Delaware's 37th District Representative John Schroeder spoke with us about his involvement that has continued since his first annual plunge with the Polar Bears . Ann Grunert, Special Olympic Director for Delaware was on hand to thank both the volunteers and participants. She indicated that the 5th annual event had raised $45,000 for the Special Olympics program in Delaware. After all participants completed their registration and gathered for a group photo, they headed out across the sand dunes to the waiting ocean.

Temperatures lingered just above freezing and the water temperature was 39 degrees. However, this did not stop the 484 Polar Bears from enjoying the moment. As they lined up along the shoreline, Captain MacLeish and other members of the Delaware State Police Dive Team spoke with participants and got them lined up and ready for the starting signal. Seeing the State Police there was not a surprise. The law enforcement community in Delaware has always been active with the Special Olympics program. Captain MacLeish indicated that his team felt there was "no better cause" than the Special Olympics. Because of the nature of their job, they enjoy getting to do something less negative.

Thirty yards offshore, a 40-foot Coast Guard Cutter was on standby. Crew members were in survival suits in case of any water-related exposure problems.

With the blast of an air horn, all 484 swimmers made a mad dash for the ocean, as over 1,000 spectators and local media crews watched from the shoreline. Many of the swimmers ran out into the breakers and knelt down, but the hard core bears dove head first into the waves. Just as fast as they ran into the surf, most of them came running back out to awaiting towels, blankets and hot beverages.

Those hard-core few soon came strolling back out of the surf. One of the last to leave the water was Bruce Egolf of Lewes. As we walked back toward the dunes, Bruce advised us that he has been to all six plunges and comes out to each monthly swim with the other members. He indicated that this year's temperatures were very mild compared to others. Bruce recalled that the wind-chill factor was -25 degrees during the 1995 event.

After the plunge was over, participants and spectators all met at the Rusty Rudder Bay Center in Dewey Beach for refreshments and pizza donated by Grotto Pizza. As a local band played, we continued to meet with others and discuss the Polar Bear Plunge and Special Olympics. Jane Brady, Attorney General for Delaware and a long-time supporter of the Special Olympics, was on hand and noted various individuals from the state agencies that also strongly support the Special Olympics.

As we were leaving, several of the Lewes Polar Bear Club members stopped us and invited us back for the March swim, which we politely declined. Sorry, but when the water temperature is higher than the air temperature, I'll keep every layer of clothes on!