LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County’s Polar Plunge, a teeth-chattering winter foray into the murky depths of Clear Lake benefiting Lake County Special Olympics, this year will be reduced to a cooling-off period.
“This year the lake will not be as cold as usual,” said a spokesman for Clearlake Outdoors, a business on Soda Bay Road. “Usually, it’s about 50 degrees. This year it will be about 57 or 58.”
In its sixth year, the Lake County Polar Plunge is expected to attract 75 courageous water lovers to the banks of Clear Lake in Lakeside County Park, 1985 Park Drive in Kelseyville, on Saturday, Feb. 21.
About 60 of them will take the full plunge, according to Peggy Buchholz, a spokesperson for the event.
Buchholz and husband, Steve, have been involved with organizing the event for all six of the years that it's been going in Lake County, and the enthusiasm hasn't waned.
“People keep jumping in the lake,” she said.
The plunge will begin at noon with registration set to begin at 10:45 a.m. A post-plunge party will take place at 12:30 p.m. at the Kelseyville Lions Club, 4335 Sylar Lane.
Buchholz said there are about 100 Special Olympics athletes in Lake County, who the funds will assist with their sporting efforts.
“The money that we raise stays here with our athletes,” said Buchholz.
So far this year about $14,000 has been raised, said Buchholz, adding that the event averages between $12,000 and $16,000 each year.
To some of the participants, plunging a big toe will be sufficient. For that matter the tootsie plunge is brave enough for event organizers.
Those who prefer to stay out of the lake altogether will receive a hooded sweatshirt commemorating the event, just so long as they pony up $125. But they’ll be formally designated as “chickens.”
Costumes are encouraged and will be judged.
Many – if not most – participants will be members of teams. Among them is a group of lawmen including Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin calling themselves the “Shivering Sheriffs.”
Among other teams are People Services and, of course, the Chickens, who last year raised $2,125, which was only second only to a team called the Engle B.
Last year’s top 10 individual fundraisers were Tony Wymer, Beth Buchholz, Teddi Walker, Kerry Buchholz, Eric Saderlund, John Drewrey, Val Schweifler, Jordan Marquardt, Lynne Demele and B. Cheyenne.
The Polar Plunge is a nationwide event in support of Special Olympic athletes. It is the only fundraiser for Lake County Special Olympics.
For more information about the Polar Plunge, contact Steve or Peggy Buchholz at 707-279-4280 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Donations may be sent to Lake County Special Olympics, P.O. Box 94, Lakeport, CA 95453.
General information about the Polar Plunge can be found at http://www.polarplungenorcalnv.com/faqs/ .
If you'd like to support a local team, information about teams is available at http://kelseyville.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeam.asp?ievent=1124181&lis=1&kntae1124181=836693ED440642B6876EFD2627A0C8A4 .
Email John Lindblom at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Special Olympics Polar Plunge: Jump in the lake, support a good cause
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