Polar Plunge draws large crowd to Cascade Park

MOSES LAKE — It was 19 degrees at Cascade Park on Friday; perfect weather to ring in the new year with a polar plunge into Moses Lake. The plunge, hosted by Grant County Animal Outreach, was made possible with the help of the Moses Lake Fire Department, who was on scene, hours prior to the plunge, with chainsaws, cutting through the ice to clear an area into which people could plunge. Moses Lake firefighter/paramedic Paul Guerin was in his red cold water survival suit, removing potentially dangerous chunks of ice from the swimming area. Guerin has taken the plunge himself five times, over the years, and was happy to be staying dry in the survival suit. "No. I don't miss it," he said.

MLFD and paramedics were standing by, ready to treat any injuries, but Guerin said hypothermia is not expected to be an issue. "A lot of cut feet. That's the big one," Guerin said, adding that people running in and out of the water so quickly, often with numb feet, usually don't realize they've one. They should always wear shoes into the water for these events," he added.

He said the Irrigation District did an excellent job clearing the area of debris prior to the event.

The plunge was co-hosted by the American Legion Joe R. Hooper Post 209 and its A.L. Riders Motorcycle Club. Bikers had a strong presence at the plunge, as members from the Unchained Brotherhood and Bikers for Christ showed up to support the event, as well. Most of them chose to support the event from dry land, but Pat Hanford, director of the A.L. Riders, took the plunge. “Exhilarating. The worst part is getting back on the bike for the ride home.”

Hanford said this is the third year he's participated, noting the patches on his coat he earned with each plunge. He added that the reason they participate is to support the GCAO.

That support may force Hanford to buy a sidecar for the bike ride home: he adopted a new best friend from the Grant County Animal Outreach.