Long Lake is currently in a bitter arctic blast, but for the overall forecast Saturday seems to be the most tolerable day for anyone to be outside. And if you thought you wanted to plunge, but it’s just a little too cold, that’s ok, raise money and donations are encouraged!
The Feeling Long Lakey Polar Plunge is slated for Saturday, December 30th at 1pm at the Long Lake Town Beach. The Long Lake Fire Department will be cutting a large hole in the ice starting at noon. The plunge begins promptly at 1p.m. All plungers are required to register at the Adirondack Hotel and have a blood pressure check. During the plunge fire department members will be in the water to assist the plungers and ensure their safety.
There will be three judges assessing plungers as individuals and teams. Trophies are awarded for Most Funds Raised, Best Theme and Best Plunge Technique.
The Long Lake Polar Plunge is unique as the plungers and or teams go in, one at a time and are encouraged to have costumes and themes. Emcee Peter Michael Marino will be hosting. He banters with the crowd and plungers to build up the fun so get ready for laughs. The plunge is more than a plunge, its an immersive experience. (Literally and figurately)
Peter Michael Marino will follow up his Polar Plunge emcee gig with a performance Saturday night, December 30th at the Adirondack Hotel in his one-man comic show Show Up, Long Lake Encore at 6 p.m. (More details here)
The big story in 2017 is the cold snap. The blast of arctic air enveloping the eastern seaboard has people concerned about frost bite. Steve Caporizzo of WTEN weather out of Albany, NY spoke of the dangerous level of cold and that it should be taken seriously. Organizers of the event will evaluate the temperature and weather conditions on Saturday to assess risk to the participants.
At this writing, on Friday afternoon at 2:55pm, the event is on. The Long Lake Rescue Squad will be taking blood pressures and be on scene at the Long Lake Town Beach in the event of an emergency.
Weather for Long Lake tomorrow at 1pm is slated to be 9 degrees. The high for the afternoon is 10 degrees.
Historical Temperatures for previous Polar Plunges in Long Lake NY
Saturday, December 29, 2012 15 degrees with wind speed 4mph (NE)
Saturday, December 28, 2013 27 degrees
Sat Dec 27th, 2014 38 degrees
Sat Jan 2nd, 2016 25 degrees
This Plunge is to benefit High Peaks Hospice. Funds raised will be used to support training and certification for three nurses. Sponsor a plunger or a team.
Plungers are asked to be prepared. Plungers MUST wear shoes, which can be water shoes, tevas, sneakers, but this is a requirement. Bring towels, blankets, change of clothes. It is advised to have a plunging “pit crew” to hold eye glasses, towels. Bring plastic bags for wet items. There will be busses on site to be used for the holding pen for plungers in UNTIL they are called. Plungers MUST stay in the bus before being called to plunge due to extreme cold temperatures as plungers go in one at a time.
There are changing areas at the Long Lake restrooms, on site. It is advised to bring garbage bags to hold wet items.
The awards will be handed out immediately following the plunge at the Adirondack Hotel.
Long Lake Town Beach
1258 Main Street
Long Lake, NY 12847
Bonfire, warming busses and heated restrooms on site.
