Penguin Plungers make a cool splash!
March 5, 2011

With the sun breaking through, an ambient air temperature of a balmy 39-degrees Fahrenheit and fresh snow just beginning to melt on the banks of the river, more than 50 brave and intrepid souls boldly leapt off the Deep Creek boat launch at noon today for a chilly dip into the icy Kootenai.

 

Just to make sure it was actually icy, Bonners Ferry Police Chief Rick Alonzo dumped a bag of ice into the river just before the first plunge.

 

With Superman Dave Kramer acting as safety officer, a rescue diver standing by and the sheriff's patrol boat ready to react in case of emergency, the swimmers braved the frigid waters in the 2011 Penguin Plunge for a good cause, to raise money for Idaho Special Olympics.

 

JoJo Baker of KBFI Radio kept everyone on time as announcer for the event, the warming tents were up, manned and warmed, and from start to finish the event was smooth as ice. Despite several looks to the contrary on shocked faces as they hit the water, no injuries were reported and no body parts were reported to have fallen off, though a few hats and wigs did, and Superman's cape got turned completely around.

 

While names of all the brave and dripping souls haven't yet been received, the pledges tallied or the winners announced, there were some standouts.

 

Michael Reasoner, going in with the team from Mugsy's, left the dock a well-endowed blond cheerleader, but came out of the water bald ... his bald locks floating away to be rescued just in the nick of time. His wife, Danielle, made the plunge dressed as Little Red Riding Hood. Brett Brown and his Safeway team were among the first in the water, and while they didn't dress up for the event, the looks on their faces as their heads broke water were priceless ... and likely brought on a touch of trepidation in the hearts of those who were waiting to plunge.

 

Tish Lagerwey, port director for U.S. Customs and Border Protection at Eastport, led a team of officers in an act way above and beyond the call of duty, and all dressed in full uniform, even the canine unit, whose name I've yet to learn but who gave me and those around me an invigorating shower as she left the water.

 

Carolyn Testa
Carolyn Testa, owner of The Groove Studio, was by far the prettiest faerie princess at the event, though her wings were drooping just a bit as she came out of the water.

 

There were teams from Bonners Ferry High School, athletes and Junior Miss entrants, and Echo Springs Academy, representing the younger generation, and one couple, who left the water too quickly to grab a name, who appear to have spent a long and happy life together.

 

It wasn't just plungers at the event, either. Riverside Road was jam-packed with parked cars and spectators outnumbered plungers by about four to one. Bob Graham was there, ready to respond to any emergency, as was Bonners Ferry City Councilman Tom Mayo, decked out like an Eskimo in parka and big boots, there to serve as a judge and try to stay dry. Andrea Kramer, Superman's wife, was also on shore, taking some beautiful pictures, including one of her husband, Dave, doing his best impression of "Up, Up, and Away!" and very much looking like he could do it, too!

 

An old friend, Dean Satchwell, was there, taking pictures and enjoying the fun, smiling and laughing at all the antics. He and his wife, Janet, returned to Boundary County in January from Alaska after Dean was diagnosed with cancer. He told me he wanted to spend what time he has left at home and having fun among friends, and he truly looked to be enjoying himself.

 

There was also a notable absence, even though they'd registered and raised their pledges. At the outset, JoJo Baker announced that plungers from the South Boundary and Paradise Valley fire districts couldn't attend as they were working to save a home from a fire that broke out earlier that morning. Instead of making the plunge, South Boundary Fire Chief Tony Rohrwasser, who tied last year for the duration prize by staying in the water an amazing 11 minutes (of course, it was warmer last year by at least three or four degrees and for safety reasons that award was not offered this year), and his team were doing what all Boundary County emergency responders do so well, coming to the assistance of neighbors in need.

 

Julie Golder was there from the Bonners Ferry Herald, and so was Roger Fraser of the Flatlander. KBFI Radio had it covered from start to finish, with JoJo even calling a doctor to advise plungers of the physical effects of jumping into frigid waters.

 

And there was a contingent there from the very people to benefit, our local Idaho Special Olympians, proudly wearing the gold and silver medals they'd earned in competitions past.

 

In all, the 2011 Boundary County Penguin Plunge was a great success from start to finish, and thanks go out to all who made it possible ... and to those icily brave souls who accepted the challenge.