We Survived BVA's Polar Plunge 2011

We Survived the Polar Plunge
Jessica Marie
Hundreds of people plunge into the Brandywine for the Brandywine Valley Association’s Fourth Annual polar plunge.

It’s a perfect day on the Brandywine, the sun is shining, the sky is blue with a few gray nimbus clouds, no breezes, and the weather; oh the weather!—a perfect, balmy 35 degrees (Fahrenheit)! To the average person, they would try their best to avoid this weather by camping out on their couches next to the fireplace with a nice steamy cup of hot chocolate in hand to watch the alluring scenery of the Jersey Shore or other warm, exotic locations on the Travel Channel. Yet, here we are, a group of a few hundred people in our bathrobes with our skimpy bathing suits underneath they three layers of clothes we were advised to wear under our robes standing around at the Brandywine Picnic Park for the Fourth Annual Brandywine Valley Association’s Polar Plunge on February 12, 2011.

Each year the Brandywine Valley Association, an association that works to improve the water quality of the local watershed, helps local municipalities to meet new federal storm water runoff management and sponsoring events that can be seen at Valley Forge Park and all along the Brandywine Valley. Last year the B.V.A. raised $12,000 and in their four years of hosting the polar plunge, plungers such as myself have helped the B.V.A. raise a total of $37,000.
Plungers had to pay a fee of $35—$25 if a student with a valid school I.D. plus whatever was made through fundraising, which was strongly encouraged. However, it wasn’t all about the plunging. Those brave enough and looking for a good laugh dressed up in costumes to participate in the costume contest.

One man braved the elements—and his integrity—by dressing up as a hula dancer complete with a hula skirt and coconut bra. He was the winner of the golden plunger and Sharon Parker, the super intendment for the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District, was runner up with her costume “Flotine D’Brees.”

I walk back over to my dad and he reminds me, “you have ten minutes to go until the plunge.” In the background, I hear the male announcer, “there is fifteen minutes left. Plungers get ready to go!” Around me I see the men that were dressed up as buffalo strip off their fleece down to their bathing shorts as girls around me stripped out of their robes down to their bikinis. Earlier in the event, we had “35” spray painted onto us and wherever it was on the body is how far you had to go. I tear off my Clayamania shirt and the bright black “35” stands out on my pale shoulder—I had to go in up to that point.

“GO!” we hear and we all rush into the water. On the other side of the Brandywine were prizes and whomever made it across first took the prizes. The water was 34 degrees; a cold rush ran up my spine and I felt a charge in me that sped up my swimming and running. I made it two-thirds across the Brandywine until I notice all the swag is gone and don’t finish. I turn around, losing my shoes, and swim back. My dad greets me with towels and my robe; we camp out next to the campfire. We both smile and both agree—I will be doing this again next year. Can’t wait until 2012! Hope to see you there West Chester students and staff!

Jessica Marie is an English Writings major with minors in Creative Writing and Philosophy. She can be contacted at [e-mail]



I wrote this for my school's newspaper, the final draft can be found here: http://media.www.wcuquad.com/media/storage/paper676/news/2011/02/21/Features/Par...