Jacksonport Polar Bears love their New Year’s Day dip

By HEIDI HODGES

It is a little-known fact that Door County is inhabited by Polar Bears. It’s true! These strange, northern creatures venture out of the security of their dens–and living rooms–for one glorious day every year.

Without a doubt, there is no stranger phenomenon than the Door County Polar Bear.

To spot them, head to the Jacksonport beach at noon on New Year’s Day. The group will be shivering in their swimsuits with intentions of swimming in the ice-laden waters of Lake Michigan.

At one time, there were only a handful of these not-so-shy critters. But, with lots of media attention and encouragement from a large gathering of spectators, the Polar Bears’ numbers are growing.

We are not, of course, talking about familiar, four-legged furry behemoths, but rather, two-legged, slightly insane humans.

It has become a tradition in these parts for adventuresome folks to take a plunge in the lake on the first day of January. Last year, more than 200 members of the Jacksonport Polar Bear Club entered the waters. While the outside temperature was under 10 degrees, the waters were a relatively balmy 39 degrees. Hundreds of others, bundled in layers of warm clothing, watched from the shore.

Unless the lake is frozen over (a pretty rare phenomenon), there will be even more swimmers on Jan. 1, 2000.

This is what the Polar Bears have to do: Run across ankle-deep slush, climb an ice mound and then jump into waist-deep ice water.

No sweat. Literally.

One person who has been involved with the Polar Bears since the beginning is J.R. Jarosh. In 1986, he took a New Year’s Day dip in Lake Michigan. “I was just curious if I could do it,” he says. “I went ahead and did it, against my mother’s wishes.”

Eventually, he hooked up with some like-minded folks, who turned it into an annual celebration.

So what brings people out, year after year?

“In a word, it is exhilarating. It’s the mental challenge. It’s not exactly easy to throw yourself into 34 degree water,” Jarosh says. “And there is a unique bond (with other Polar Bears) that you don’t share with many other people.”

To catch the show, head to the Jacksonport beach, located off Highway 57 in the town of Jacksonport. Arrive early because the swim itself doesn’t last more than a few minutes.

If you are inclined to join the club, all you have to do is wear a swimsuit under your winter clothes. At the prescribed time, the group removes their winter layers and heads, en masse, for the water.

The only requirement: Wear shoes to protect your feet from the sharp ice.

Hot drinks and food will be available along with sweatshirts with the official club logo. There is no alcohol allowed and, for safety's sake, the club requests that swimmers refrain from drinking alcohol before the swim.

For more information about this year’s plunge, check out the group’s web site at www.doorbell.net/pbc.