Californians are wussies

Da Nag

Da Nag

Administrator
Staff member
Man...I just proved I'm worthy of WA residency next year. No way I'll be takin' any guff from you WA natives and recent transplants.

Got invited to a "polar bear plunge" party today near Stockton. Foggy and in the high 40's, and the hosts' pool has not been heated for months - thermometer was at 49.

There were 40 or so guests invited, most of whom jumped in. Virtually every one of them did a little 10 second wade in the shallow end up to their waist, shrieking like little schoolgirls - even the men. Perhaps 4-5 jumped in at the deep end, quickly swam to the other side and got out.

I dove in the deep end, and stayed in the pool for about five minutes...looking up at all the CA pansies feverishly drying themselves off already, and rushing for the warm confines of the house. One other gal did the same, we proceeded to swim a few laps, got out and dove in a few more times.

After chatting with her for a few minutes, trading a few barbs directed at the other guests, I mentioned our move to WA next year. She smiled...and informed me she was a WA native, having moved down here last year with her husband. Having participated in the annual Renton Polar Bear Plunge a few times, this 10 minutes in the pool was nuttin' to her.

So, maybe as early as next year...I'll taunt, tease and harass my fellow C-Brats, to include a trip with dip at the SBS. I know my fellow crazies won't let me down.

Right . . . ?
 
TyBoo":19mwoi58 said:
Taunt and tease all you want, Little Skinnydipper, but that's just plain dumb.
Click to expand...

Mke, that seems a bit harsh... there is a fine line between dumb and crazy. Some might even call that adventurous. I would be leaning more towards the "screaming like a little school girl"... Californians aren't the only wusses. :xseek

Best wishes,
Jim
 
We used to go up to Lake Elizabeth (off Hwy 2) and build a sweat "lodge" tent, after a good sweat we would jump in the lake---- with several inchs of snow on the ground. bbbrrrrr
 
C-Hawk":81pnccfm said:
We used to go up to Lake Elizabeth (off Hwy 2) and build a sweat "lodge" tent, after a good sweat we would jump in the lake---- with several inchs of snow on the ground. bbbrrrrr
Click to expand...

And the key words in that statement are: USED TO. :wink: Proof that people may be crazy, but they can learn. 8)
 
Ahhh, the joys of cold water! I remember doing our annual "wet drills" in Kodiak one year in January. We walked into the water of Women's Bay boat ramp wearing only a nomex flight suit. When you were up to your jewels you really felt it! :roll: We swam about 25 yards to get to our survival suits, put them on while treading water, and then swam to a liferaft another 25 yards away. After climbing into the raft and refreshing our memories with survival gear, we dumped back in and swam to shore. The water was so cold it felt hot. Survival suits make a huge difference.

It as a fun thing to do...while watching the snow fall on the water...
 
We always enjoyed WATCHING our kids do the Birch Bay Polar Bear Swim when they were little, I might have dipped a toe in one year, never much inclined to actually, you know, go into the water...
 
Bill,

Not far from here at a little place called Nordland, they have a Jan 1 Polar Bear swim each year. Can't say I've been inclined to participate except maybe as a hot coffee boy, but it'll be closer for you than going back to California next winter, and it's more natural, (nice warm -- long bay -- temp water). We would go, but the SleepyC is wrapped up, warm and dry that week :wink

Have to admit that a nice roll in the snow for a few minutes and then diving into a warm pool is a feeling like no other :xseek :tux

Stay Cool Bill,

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
OK, I see how it's gonna be....

Fine. I appeal to your adventurous sides, and get labeled a loon. Which while being a badge I wear proudly on occasion, wasn't the response I was hoping for in this case. Time to get tough.

Can't do much about TyBoo, cuz' he's got the keys to the kingdom around here. But for the rest of you...let's just say there might be a new requirement for free C-Brat membership next year. You wanna stay warm - it just might cost you.

TyBoo":36qg0cbn said:
Taunt and tease all you want, Little Skinnydipper, but that's just plain dumb.
Click to expand...

Yeah, now who's dumb. I just figured out a way to triple our income around this place, mister.
 
stockton at 49 degrees? dam flat landers..try tahoe on jan 1st at 9 am. first you have to shovel the 3 ft of snow out of the parking lot. Its gets you sweating good. Then breakout the chainsaw and cut a large hole in the ICE. always get your fire burning good and hot before you strip down to swim gear. Thats how its done in the good part of california ...above 4000 ft..
 
Little Skinnydipper":1hbg01uu said:
Yeah, now who's dumb.
Click to expand...

Hold on now, Bill. I never said you were dumb, I said your act was. Just doing something dumb does not make you dumb, anymore than marrying Dana made you pretty.
 
TyBoo":x66qrx1n said:
Little Skinnydipper":x66qrx1n said:
Yeah, now who's dumb.
Click to expand...

Hold on now, Bill. I never said you were dumb, I said your act was. Just doing something dumb does not make you dumb, anymore than marrying Dana made you pretty.
Click to expand...

Ya know, I tried that argument once... when Joan called me stupid (hard to imagine, I realize) and I said, "Oh yeah? Well, you married me, so what does that make you?" :crook

I've seen a bumpersticker that read: All Men Are Idiots and I Married Their King. :mrgreen:

Our Jan. 1st "Polar Bear Dip" may be a bit different from yours. All these people get psyched up about jumping into the "bitterly cold" 62º water. :xnaughty Yeah, it's all perspective.

We don't think you're dumb, Bill... a half bubble off level, perhaps; but in spite of the things Mike says about you, we think you're swell. 8)

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Bill - I assume your challenge only applies to brats from CA as clearly those of us who live in WA are already tough and those from Alaska are even tougher (or actually tough under most standards). I'll jump in the cold pool if you'll run a half marathon with me.
 
Bill,

Me thinks that you just proved you are from California. No one else in their right mind would want to do something as crazy as swim in cold water in the middle of winter. Quod erat demonstrandum!

And furthermore... Si Hoc Legere Scis Nimium Eruditionis Habes.
 
Back
Top