Crazy for the cold water

'Gratifying to complete first challenge of year'

MOSES LAKE — New Year's Day is a good time to see Bob Scott in his underwear.

The Moses Lake Fire Department captain can usually be seen at Cascade Park each Jan. 1, clad in red long johns and his helmet and boots as he and other residents take leave of their senses and jump into Moses Lake to mark the new year for the annual polar bear plunge.

"You know, believe it or not, I've had those for a long, long time," Scott laughed when asked about the long johns. "That was traditional fire gear at one time."

Scott said he only wears the long johns on that one day.

"That's my costume for New Year's Day every year," he said.

Donations raised during the event go to the Moses Lake-Grant County Humane Society.

"The donations help care for the animals that are in the shelter," explained Mary DeHerrera, humane society director. "It's community involvement and we like that, even in the dead of winter."

This will be Scott's ninth year taking the plunge.

"I heard something on the radio, and it was a benefit for the humane society, and I thought, 'Gosh, I'll just go and see what it's all about,' and got kind of caught up in it," he recalled of his start participating in the program.

Scott and his wife have both been involved at various levels of coordinating the event.

"We sort of have an interest in humane society," he said. "We have four Persian geriatric girls who are rescues, and we feel like it's a really good cause."

For Scott, the polar bear plunge represents his first challenge of the year.

"It's not comfortable, and it's kind of gratifying to complete that first challenge of the year and have it behind you," he said with a chuckle. Scott's advice for newcomers includes "Be creative. Wear a costume, make it fun. Think about a hot summer day."

Scott said he finds gratification in doing something mentally difficult.

"Throwing yourself into 32 degree water is not an easy thing to do, and I think a lot of satisfaction comes from just accomplishing that," he said.

DeHerrera said she isn't sure she's going to participate in the plunge itself. When she asked staff, she said, they looked at her like, "Are you crazy?" They'll play it by ear, she allowed.

"I'm a warm water person," she said. "Swimming pool, anytime, but the lake? Nah."

The fire department will be on hand at the polar bear plunge.