Sliding into 2023: Polar Bear Plunge to aid local groups

Published 7:00 am Monday, December 26, 2022

TIFTON — The Tiftarea YMCA will be ringing in the New Year Jan. 1 with one of Tifton’s best-known traditions: the Polar Bear Plunge.

The annual event returns to the Stafford Aquatics Center at Hunt Park (YMCA pool) with 11 individuals set to take the slide for local charitable organizations. With Jan. 1 is on a Sunday in 2023, the plunge is set for 2 p.m. instead of its usual morning time.

Tiftarea YMCA CEO Jason Bishoff is counting down the days to the Plunge and also carefully monitoring the weather.

The Weather Channel predicts a high temperature of 72 degrees Jan. 1. That would be a far cry from a week earlier. Temperatures were actual polar bear weather from Dec. 23-27, below freezing. The Polar Plunge’s record low for pool temperature was 46 degrees, set in 2018. Last year was its warmest, nearly 80 degrees.

Sliders are a mix of Polar Bear Plunge veterans and newbies. Contests and the local causes they are sliding for are: Bishoff (Brother Charlie’s), Christy Day (Tiftarea House of Hope), Cody Dixon (Peanut Butter & Jesus), Todd Garner (Dream Center), Bennett Harrison (Called to Care), Paul Horst (TAGA), Andy Marzen (Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence), Andrea McLemore (Literacy Volunteers of Tifton), Kim Moorman (Tifton-Tift County Library Foundation), Mac Sims (Tifton Animal Rescue, Inc.) and Vicki Taft (Hospice of Tift Area).

Mike Beeman was the top money-earner in the 2022 event. Sliding for Ruth’s Cottage, he earned $4,049.

The newcomers are putting in the work.

“It’s neat,” Bishoff said. “Some of our newbies are actually in first place.”

Harrison had the top spot as of Dec. 14, at $2,350. He did not slide last year, as is the case with five of the individuals in the top six.

The same rules apply to sliders regarding the money they raise.

The winner of the Polar Bear Plunge earns 100% of what they have raised for his or her charity. Fifty percent goes to everyone else (with the other 50% to the YMCA). There is a big catch, however: The representative must slide. If the slider is not in attendance and has not made arrangements to have someone in their place (in case of illness), that percentage is bumped down to 25%.

The deadline for donations is 6 p.m., Dec. 29. To donate, visit http://tiftareaymca.org/polar-bear-plunge.php. Click on the contestant of choice to go to the donation page. Donations can also be made by visiting the YMCA on Carpenter Road. For more information, visit the Y or call (229) 391-9622.

Eleven names are signed up to plunge, but they may not be the only ones. For the 25th anniversary of the Tiftarea YMCA, Bishoff has opened the slide to past participants.

“We’re inviting all the alumni of years past to come,” he said. “We have several we have asked to be involved.”

The first Polar Bear Plunge for charity slid on New Year’s Day 2012, with Wingate Whitley winning for the Patticake House.

More than sliding is planned for the Plunge. Bishoff said there will be a pickleball demonstration by David Pollock. There will be a giveaway for a free pickleball paddle.