Numbers, tide both way low for Lewes polar plunge
Dead low tide and then some on New Year’s Day as polar plungers had to run halfway to Portugal just to get wet. The 2010 Lewes Polar Bear jump marked 28 years for the local club with balmy 40 degree air temperature with a frigid ocean of 39 degrees.
A long-running tradition for the Lewes Polar Bears is total immersion in a traditional bathing suit and no credit given for staying in the longest or going in multiple times.
Tom Gusmer of Fairfax, Va., who drives to Lewes for all five jumps each and every year, was in and out of the ocean several times and likes to stay in and swim around.
“He is amazing,” said Greg Mack. “I have never seen anyone take to the cold water like that boy.”
Mack and Connie Miller along with Tom Gusmer have been the most “Psycho Polar Plungers” over the last three years, never missing a monthly jump from November through March.
The numbers were down for this year’s jump - not that anyone was counting or caring.
The February plunge to benefit Delaware Special Olympics is set for Sunday, Feb. 7, in Rehoboth Beach. Go to sode.org for information and registration forms.
Jumping into 2010 were Dale Johnson, Jason Brady, Roger Simms, Elisa Montross-Lopez, James Sarakatsannis, Liz Brittingham, Jon Fletcher, Cori Walker, Larry Sharp, Jimmy Bennard, Keith Ricker, Ed Osienski, Jack Lingo, Tessa Shoup, Bill Lingo, Bruce Egolf, Clinton Watts, Richard Lantz, Freddogg, Katy Foltyn, Amanda Brown, Shannon McCall, Chip Davis, Connie Miller, Caleb Beats, Amanda Bradney, Bev Beats, Anja Beats, Dennis Beats, Spencer Steele, Nick Scroggs, Tom Gusmer, James Gusmer, Karen Gusmer, Carey Karl, Deanna McCall, John Kling, Elvira Jobes, Maggie Kling, Morgan Kling, Greg Mack, James J. Smaling, Julia Loose (Lititz, Pa.), Morgan Heckel (Lititz, Pa.), Kelsey Cowher (Lititz, Pa.), Charles Reifsnyder, Chris Johnson, Charlie Brown, Bob Hughes, Ralph Gooch, Tom Kildea, James Kildea, Amani Kildea, Pamela Rutherford, Bruder Rutherford, Stephanie Karl and Lorraine Wilson.
