Screams of glee and shock could be heard all through Marina Park in downtown Kirkland at 1 p.m. on New Year’s Day, as hundreds of people from around the Puget Sound area participated in the annual Kirkland Polar Plunge.
“It was colder than I thought,” said Bellevue resident Caitlin Mack, as her young kids and husband watched her try to get warm again with a towel wrapped about her shoulders. “This is such a beautiful location and it was fun, cold, but fun. This was my first time but I would do it again.”
The event drew about 200 participants into the water and many more friends and family who came for moral support.
The participants came from all over the area and ranged from elementary school age to the those in their 70s. But the views at Marina Park pulled many to the Kirkland event despite other plunge events in the area.
Erin Lavery of Edmonds attended the event with her two young children, Madeline, 5, and Dillinger, 2, and family. Both kids even dressed up for the costume contest and Dillinger won the event dressed as Spiderman. Lavery said that her kids were not participating the plunge because “it would be a total meltdown.”
“We wanted to get out and do something with the kids and family,” Lavery said.
The clear skies and a very bright sun masked an air temperature of about 45 degrees. The waters of Lake Washington this time of year are around 40 degrees. A few people stuck their toe or finger in a chickened out. Most jumped in and got right back out. Some swam out to the buoy, about 25 yards from shore.
“It is downright freezing,” said Marcy Monroe of West Seattle, who skipped the plunge on Alki in favor of the waters of Lake Washington. “It is a beautiful day and this is a beautiful setting.”
Like many, Monroe participated in the plunge with a friend. She said that she is hoping the new year will bring more peace and, as a recent college graduate, she is hoping to work more this year.
Kirkland resident John Bywater, 24, brought his friend from Everett, Kyle Larson, 27, to experience the plunge.
“I was just looking to get in on all the buzz,” Bywater said.
The event is not sanctioned by the city of Kirkland and participants take part at their own risk. Kirkland police were on hand incase of an emergency.
“This is just a cool community event and something to do on New Years,” Larson said.
Bywater said that he hopes to experience more inner peace in the new year.
