Nearly 1,200 start 2015 with an icy plunge into Lake George

Undeterred by the 27-degree air temperature and stiff breeze, 1,182 bathing suit-clad plungers splashed into the frigid waters of Lake George at Shepard Park this afternoon to celebrate New Year’s Day. Several hundred more stood on shore to watch and cheer.  “It’s kind of like a baptism,” says Linda Duffy, one of the Lake George New Year’s Day Polar Plunge organizers. While acting as moderator, she urged plungers to “get a fresh start” and “wash off the hard luck and yucky stuff” of the past year.

Three waves of plungers ran into the lake at half-hour intervals beginning at 1 p.m. All age groups were represented with many of those daring the chilly waters dressed in costumes. For Brian and Salena Perry of Clayton, North Carolina, this was the second year they took the plunge. Salena explains that she grew up in the Lake George area, yet never did the New Year’s Day plunge. While up visiting relatives for the holidays last year, she decided it was time. As for this year? “We did it once, now we can’t say no,” she says.

The Lake George New Year’s Day Polar Plunge is an annual tradition that began as a small affair in 1973. The event grew in size so that today Shepard Park Beach had a crowd larger than any seen during the summer months. Parking lots in the Village were filled this morning and shops and restaurants were open to cater to the crowd. This year’s Polar Plunge had a new feature, a magic show for children by Pete and Chris Amusements.

The Lake George Volunteer Fire Department, Queensbury Fire Department and the Lake George EMS were on hand with divers in the lake and patrol boats to ensure safety. There is no charge to join in the event, but a $10 donation nets plungers an official Polar Plunge t-shirt. Proceeds benefit local charities. More frolicking in the winter lake is scheduled for each weekend in February at the Lake George Winter Carnival, which kicks off with opening ceremonies on Feb. 7.