POLAR PLUNGERS: 997 cold bears

Thousands jam Olcott Beach for annual Polar Bear Swim

By Bill Wolcott<br><a href="mailto:bill.wolcott@lockportjournal.com">E-mail Bill</a>

The Pirates of the Chillibbean made a big splash in what they called their “Final Farewell Plunge” on Sunday in the Olcott Lions Club Polar Bear Swim for Sight.

The Grand Island group entered about 60 men and women in the annual dip into Lake Ontario at Olcott Beach. Sunny skies and 39-degree temperatures drew 997 Polar Bears. This year, the Chillibbeans had the Polar Bear Queen in their party.

Jackie Marie Wilk, 21, of Buffalo beamed in her white bathing suit, which was highlighted by the queen’s tiara, sash and flowers. “It was my first time and a great experience. I will do it next year for sure, absolutely.”

The Pirates of the Chillibbean started with six Polar Bears five years ago, according to Peter Schlau of Grand Island. Now there’s more than 10 times that.

“For a number of the group, it’s their fifth and final year,” Schlau said. “We’re just plain getting old. They’ll be coming here to celebrate and support. They just won’t be going in the water. However, the group will live on.”

Thousands of folks in a partying mood rimmed Olcott Beach while nearly 1,000 more flopped in the carved-out ice hole on Lake Ontario.

“We came earlier, I was just getting my drink on, doing my thing,” Wilk said. “I saw all these girls and I didn’t think I could compete against them. Then, a guy pulled me aside and said, ‘You’re the queen’ ... Oh my gosh!”

Wilk was one of about 20 Polar Bear Queen candidates who braved the chill in the icy water. Jackie does housekeeping and mom, Donna Johnson, said, “I encouraged her to do something like this, because she wants to get into modeling.”

Diana Vito, an office manager from Buffalo, and Alicia Liable, a social worker originally from Niagara Falls, had minor blood streaks on their legs. “These are glory wounds, right here,” said Vito, who enjoyed her maiden swim.

“I was just in the neighborhood in a bathing suit and I thought it would be a good time to hop in the water,” she joked. “Really, I’ve always wanted to do it and I never made it in time, so I was excited to get here today.”

“It was freezing, but it was good,” Liable said. “Once you get in, it’s not as bad as you think it would be. The ice kind of cuts you up a little bit though.”

John Ali of Grand Island came with a family of nieces, boyfriends, nephews, brothers and his son. They wore T-shirts that read, “You are always in our heart, Stephanie and Grace.”

“My daughter used to participate every year,” Ali said. “She died in January with my granddaughter, Gracie, in a car accident. We’re doing this in memory of my daughter. She used to do this every year. She was 22.”

Grace Ingalsbe was five months old when she died. The snowy roadway contributed to the accident on Grand Island Boulevard.

There were pockets of green on the salty and muddied beach. Those were the folks preparing to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. A “leprechaun” presented kids with emerald beads. Kerry Kromer, of Sanborn, adorned a green cap, green hair, green shirt and orange pants for St. Patrick’s Day.

Evil clown Owen Cheverie, a Lockport concrete worker, wore a polka dot dress with an orange hunting jacket. At 30, he returned to the lake for the first time since he was 18. Why?

“Same reason,” he explained. “I don’t know.”

Several youngsters followed the queen candidates in the water. Sarah Ceismer, 16, looked forward to first her time. “It will be freezing,” the Starpoint High School student said. “I’m just doing it for fun and to help out with charity.”

Riannon Gephart of Kenmore wore a grass skirt, pink socks and long johns. “I’m a nurse and doing this for charity,” she said.

Justin Adamek, 37, of Tonawanda dried off with his son Kellin, 11. “It’s the first time. I always wanted to do it my whole life. Unlike most people around us, we went all the way under.”

Kellin said, “It’s for the blind people.”

Kelly Chochnewetch, 13, a three-year veteran from Newfane, reported the water was warmer than usual (36 degrees). Kelly and her friend Kiki Dy, 13, were close to being shut out. “We just made it with 30 seconds left. We had to push our way through,” Kiki said. “We went under and it was pretty cool.”

A couple young men painted “Free hugs” on their chests and backs. Some carried a sign that read, “The beating will continue until morale improves.”

Contact reporter Bill Wolcott

at 439-9222, ext. 6246.

Text Only