Warm sun, frigid water: Plattsburgh Polar Plunge nets $20K for Special Olympics

PLATTSBURGH | About 200 Polar Plungers braved 38-degree water in Lake Champlain on Saturday at City Beach. Wind pushed the wave heights up over two feet, but the air was warm and the sun was out and everyone beamed as they raced to the lake. Most stayed in maybe two minutes. The spring return of Plattsburgh's Polar Plunge brought teams together from many law enforcement agencies, businesses, civic groups, student groups and athletic clubs, and people who just showed up and signed up to support Special Olympics New York. The annual appeal raised nearly $20,000 toward sports programming and competition events for people with developmental disabilities. State Police Troop B Trooper Keith Brown topped $3,173 for first place in solo fundraising. The Saranac Central School Key Club was led by Noah Terry, who raised nearly $1,300 for a solo second. But if you add $548 raised by Saranac High School Principal Tracy Manor, representing the Key Club, plus a combined total of $1,426 from Key Club members Joan Seidel, Mckenzie Lucia, Avery Waldron, Samantha LaCroix and Makayla Smart, nearly $3,300 raised by the Saranac Key Club. Troop B State Trooper Wendy House brought $867 for a third in solo fundraising, and Saranac Lake Police Chief Darin Perrotte came to town with Sgt. Luke Cromp, contributing $516. What every plunger brought to City Beach were great vibes and ready smiles on a warm day that promised summer after a long, cold winter. It was the kind of day that required suntan lotion. City of Plattsburgh Mayor Wendell Hughes made the plunge with city staffers Emma Stewart and Bianca Lynch. Hughes was all about bare feet on the beach. "This is the most beautiful freshwater beach in America," he beamed. The city opened the Beach House to help Special Olympics Northern New York avoid the cost of tents. "When you mix all the Special Olympics folks, law enforcement and area youth, it's perfect," Hughes said. Part of the Key Club team, 10th graders Makayla Smart, Kailynn Neri, Molly Gangwer and Megan Gangwer admitted the water was probably going to be cold. But the timing was probably better in late April than late March. The event was moved forward due to ice chunks floating near the beach in March. This was the teens first Polar Plunge and they were wholly undaunted. "We're just gonna full send it," Makayla said. And they did. Schluter Systems had a big team lined up in orange shirts and swimsuits, plus some Viking helmets to bolster their team's tough spirit. Scott Ewing of the District 3 Fire Department is northeast district representative to the Special Olympics Committee. He commended everyone and the multitude of law enforcement officers who raised thousands collectively. Agencies who participated included the City of Plattsburgh Police Department, Customs and Border Patrol, Sheriff's Department personnel, New York State Court Officers, Environmental Conservation officers, New York State Police and search and rescue personnel from numerous agencies. Cumberland Head Volunteer Fire Department, District 3 Fire Department, New York State Police and the City of Plattsburgh Swiftwater Rescue team had crews in the water to monitor safety. Waves were high on Lake Champlain and the water is still dangerously cold. Air temps hovered around 68 degrees. Saranac Lake Police Chief Darin Perrotte came for a plunge and a cause. "The Special Olympics are just such a worthy cause," he said. City Fire Department rescue swimmers from the swift water team were ready in wet suits to keep an eye on the crowded plunge, which was timed in groups to make sure 200 people didn't collide. "The water is 38 degrees and chilly, so it should be a good time," rescue swimmer Brandon said with a grin. A group of Plattsburgh women who swim together every summer showed up for the Polar Plunge, too. They said this was an early start to their informal swim sessions, but they were there for the lake. "It's the most beautiful asset we have," Amy said. It usually takes until June for the water in Lake Champlain to top 50 degrees. Despite early summer-like warm days, the lake water is just barely above freezing. City Beach does not officially open until around Memorial Day at the end of May.

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Warm sun, frigid water: Plattsburgh Polar Plunge nets $20K for Special Olympics

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