Mike's Takes the Polar Bear Plunge 2008
Mike Becvar took the Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics Maryland.
On January 26, 2008, I joined Maryland's Governor Martin O'Malley and more than 10,000 plungers in entering the Chesapeake Bay from Sandy Point as part of the Maryland State Police's 12th Annual Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics. I was willing to grin and "bear" it for the athletes of Special Olympics Maryland. I was part of a small team composed of members from Single Volunteers of Baltimore and Anapolis (SVBA) and Single Volunteers of DC (SVDC). Three of us, Bill, Jen and myself took the plunge and raised more than $700 for Special Olympics.
The weather started in the 20s when we arrived and got up into the mid 30s before the plunge. The water was reported to be between 36-38F.
Polar Bear Mike Becvar
- Before the Plunge - - The Polar Bear Plunge -
Before the Plunge
We met at the Naval Academy Stadium at 8:30 in the morning. We enjoyed a few donuts, bagels and coffee before taking the bus to Sandy Point. It was a cold morning with temperatures in the mid 20s.
SVDC and SVBA members meet in the parking lot for a small tailgate party before heading to Sandy Point State Park for the Polar Bear Plunge.
One of my two foreign exchange students, Fam, joined me at the event.
Fam on the bus to Sandy Point.
Mike Becvar on the bus to Sandy Point.
Bill and Jen pose with a polar bear before the event.
Sand sculpture
Fam at Bunky's Beach Party before the plunge
We watch a pig race before the plunge
Main stage area for the plunge
The Polar Bear Plunge
We were part of the noon plunge. (They had two plunges scheduled one at noon and another at 3:00pm.) We went onto the beach at 11:30 and set our things out on the beach so we could quickly get our towels. We actually, made two plunges, one a few minutes early when many people took the words of one of the announcers to indicate it was time to plunge into the water and again at noon after the official countdown.
Some of the more eager plungers get ready on the beach about 30 minutes before the plunge. The Bay Bridge is in the background.
Bill and Jen get their gear set on the beach before the plunge
Mike Becvar still in a jacket and already looking a little cold.
Bill, Jen and Mike pose for a group before picture.
Bill and Jen before the plunge
The beach a few minutes before the plunge
Bill, Mike and Jen pose for a group picture after the plunge.
Mike Becvar after the plunge.
Mike back in a warm jacket after the plunge
The SVBA and SVDC group talk after the plunge