Upcoming Polar Bear Swims:

8th Annual Chicago Polar Plunge
Mayor's Office of Special Events
March 2nd, 2008 10:00am
Donations to benefit Special Children’s Charities
Special Olympics Chicago
There is no minimum for a team as long as the total raised covers
the $100 minimum required per individual.
scc@sochicago.org
www.chicagopolarplunge.org






 

 

 

 

 Previous Polar Bear Swims In Chicago...


7th Annual Lakeview Polar Bear Club
CELEBRATION OF SHRINKAGE
February 9th, 2008
http://www.lakeviewpolarbearclub.com/

 

 

6th Annual Lakeview Polar Bear Club
CELEBRATION OF SHRINKAGE 
February 17th, 2007

The official website for the Lakeview Polar Bear Club can be found:  www.lakeviewpolarbearclub.com

Organized by Brian Marchal , his group collects donations for a local family in need of financial assistance.

What:    Lakeview Polar Bear Club – CELEBRATION OF SHRINKAGE
When:   February 17th, 2007
Where:  Oak Street Beach
Why:     The Prestangen Family

Photos from the February 17th, 2007 plunge  The ice was so thick on Lake Michigan, that swimming wasn't possible.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I.C. Plunge! 

1st Annual I.C. Plunge
December 2nd, 2006

Organized by Nathan Mustain , his group collects donations for war orphans in Uganda through invisibleconflicts.org 

What:    I.C. Plunge
When:   December 2nd, 2006
Where:  Oak Street Beach
Why:     War Orphans in Uganda (invisibleconflicts.org)

Video from the I.C. Plunge can be found on youtube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDLK5f1wM0I


http://luc.edu/orgs/invisibleconflicts/


 

 

 Big Cat's Polar Bear Club!



9thAnnual Big Cat Polar Bear Club
GO JUMP IN DA LAKE!!!!!!!
 January 1st, 2008 - 8:00am
For video of the 9th Annual Big Cat Polar Bear Club swim that took place on January 1st, 2008, check out the Fox News Chicago report here:
http://tinyurl.com/ypyw2x



8thAnnual Big Cat Polar Bear Club
GO JUMP IN DA LAKE!!!!!!!
 January 1st, 2007

 

Organized by Brian "Big Cat" McDougal, the Big Cat Polar Bear Club is the first Polar Bear event of every year here in Chicago.  Taking place at 8:15am on New Years Day, his group has been profiled by Fox, CBS, NBC, WGN, CLTV, Sun-Times, Tribune's Daily Herald, and the Roselle Press.

What:    Big Cat Polar Bear Club
When:   January 1st, 2008
Where:  North Avenue Beach
Why:     They still haven't come up with a good answer to this question!

        

Please bring your own Bloody Mary's!

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Leesa Drake's Chicago Polar Bear Club!

9thAnnual Polar Bear Club New Years Day Swim
 January 1st, 2008 - 12:00noon

 

The 9th annual Polar Bear Club Swim will soon be here.  Save the date and plan to ring in the new year with a splash.  What better way to start off the year on an adventurous.  The event will be on no matter how cold.  Hope to see you there!

9th Annual New Year’s Day Swim

What:    Polar Bear Swim in Lake Michigan on New Year's Day
When:   New Year's Day at 12:00 noon
Where:  North Avenue Beach near the boat house (approximately 1600 N)
Why:     Carpe Diem!
Cost:     FREE!

Ring in the New Year with a splash and set an adventurous tone for the upcoming year.

We meet at North Avenue Beach near the north end of the beach house just prior to Noon for pictures.  Wear your swimsuit under your warm clothing.  We'll all disrobe together and take group pictures in swimsuits before going in the water.  Then we'll run in together, get wet, run back out and get dressed quickly.  You'll be really cold for about 5 minutes total, probably spending less than 30 seconds actually in the water, unless you want more.  Spectators are always welcome.

Rules:

1.  Swimsuits only.  No nudity (it's a family event) and no wetsuits (that's cheating).
2.  Swimmers must go all the way under the water before coming out to be "official."
3.  No whining! 

 
Once you’re dressed you can head home to your warm shower.

Parking: There are two very convenient options.  There is parking at North Avenue Beach and also a larger lot on the east side of the Lincoln Park Zoo (enter on Fullerton just west of Lake Shore Drive and then cross the pedestrian overpass to access the beach area).  

Fine Print:  While we may have some participants or spectators who are medical professionals, we don't officially have medical support on site.  Participate only if you are willing and able.  Like anything, there is probably some risk so if you have medical considerations please check with your doctor before participating.  We’re a group of adventurous friends, not a formal organization and thus there isn’t anyone to sue if you don’t like being cold!   The founder for the New Years Eve Swim is Leesa Drake .

No need to sign up, just show up at noon on New Year's Day!

 

 

 

If you have any general questions about Polar Bear events in general, please feel free to contact Allan Doeksen at ChicagoPolarBearClub@gmail.com

 

Specific questions about any of the above mentioned groups should be directed at the organizers and their respective organizations.

 

 

 

Some additional sites/threads about various Chicago polar bear plunges can be found:

http://www.worldisround.com/articles/260779/index.html
http://www.43things.com/entries/view/1466551?new_comment=1370615&page=0#comment1370615
http://www.erikandtheanimals.com/blog/2006/12/2007-new-years-day-chicago-polar-bear.html
http://centerstagechicago.com/recreation/articles/be-outside.html
http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/holidayhappenings/34942,0,1456520.event
http://feeds.feedburner.com/OutsideTheLoopRadio (Episode 15 Radio Interview Podcast)