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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Parks to Sponsor Fourth Annual New Year's Day Polar Plunge!!
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
11/21/2005 5:10:00 PM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dewey Potter (206) 684-7241
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Parks to Sponsor Fourth Annual New Year's
Day Polar Plunge!!
Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Meadowbrook Community Center Advisory
Council are joining to co-sponsor the Fourth Annual Polar Bear Swim at high
noon on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2006 at Matthews Beach, 9300 51st NE. Registration
starts at 11:30 a.m.
Brave polar bears who actually immerse themselves neck-deep in the lake will
be richly and warmly rewarded, with refreshments and a "2006 Official Patch
of Courage" to prove to friends and loved ones that they actually braved
the frigid waters.
"This bracing New Year's activity has quickly become a Seattle tradition,"
said Parks Superintendent Ken Bounds. "Last year we had more than 600 polar
bears, and we hope to top that number on New Year's Day. Last year we welcomed
the Lake Forest Park Polar Bears for Peace, and we hope more groups will join
us this year."
Parks offers a few tips for enjoying a fun, safe swim:
- If you have heart problems or other serious medical concerns, we recommend
you consult your health care professional before taking the Polar Plunge.
- Don't drink alcohol - it doesn't warm you up, and it accelerates hypothermia.
- Don't stay in the water for longer than 15 minutes - you lose body heat
25 times faster in water than in air.
- Don't take off your outer clothing until you're ready to get in the water.
- Costumes are part of the fun, and are welcome!
Witnesses to history will, at each participant's request, record the names
of the brave souls who complete the mission and the water temperature, normally
about 50 degrees F. on Jan. 1. For more information, please visit the web site
at www.seattle.gov/parks.
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Seattle Parks and Recreation
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