Let’s say I have some days off next week. And let’s say I want to do a polar bear swim. If you were me, would you just run off the edge of the land, say, at Magnuson Park, where I do in the summer? Or is there some better place to get a polar bear swim on in Seattle this winter? Hmm?
Jen Graves (The Stranger’s former arts critic) mostly writes about things you approach with your eyeballs. But she’s also a history nerd interested in anything that needs more talking about, from male... More by Jen Graves
Madison Beach, where the Resolution Run ends.
If you want company, new year’s morning, you can join in http://promotionevents.com/ResoRun/home.…
Sorry, that should have been Magnuson. Though Madison would probably be good, too. Or Denny-Blaine.
Resolution Run, duh.
The best place (and time) to do it next week will be at the 10th annual Seattle Parks and Recreation Polar Bear Plunge. Duh.
The Polar Bear Plunge in Olalla on Jan. 1 is the best around. Bikers (the Harley kind), bonfires, cannons, and a bridge to jump off of. Absolutely worth the drive.
it’s always been at Matthews Beach. So do it there and there will be plenty of pasty white flesh to smush against to stay warm.
It’s not a proper Polar Bear swim unless it’s in saltwater. Don’t be a laker.
@8: Thank you for this tip. Everyone else, I don’t want to do it on Jan. 1. That sounds horrible. Any other morning.
@8 Tell that to these guys. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R5aOXKhu…
@8 It’s not a proper Polar Bear swim unless you break ice to do it.
@10
The only exception for freshwater is when you have to cut a hole in it for your swim.
That video is of a spring warm-up dip. The serious Chicago polar bears come out in February, when Lake Michigan is frozen out to 200 yards or so.
The best place would be over in Shilshole where the Ballard Elks are having a Pledge or Plunge event for charity. There will be swimmers to sponsor and an opportunity to plunge for charity! 1 pm New Years day! Pot luck to follow!
@ 12, those of us who live far from salt water laugh in your face!
Cold water is cold water.
@14
I grew up in the Midwest. I’ve gone ice-fishing. And you’re wrong.
I would say as an open water swimmer, and done many emerald city mile swims and the Fat Salmon, I would recommend Seward Park, Madison Beach and Golden Gardens. Where ever you do it, make sure you do it with a bunch of friends, and there are margaritas ready afterwards, or close by, like Cactus at Madison Beach, if it is open at that time..