Four jump into new year with Swinomish Channel plunge
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January 5, 2022
THE BEST WAY TO BRACE FOR A NEW YEAR – Randy Hayes, John Leaver, Rick Dole and Porter Weatherford, from left, plunged in Saturday morning. Weatherford followed the principle last in, first out. About a dozen neighbors, friends and families member cheered them on from the Swinomish Channel beach just north of Pearle Jensen Way. Chrissy, left, and Mel stuck close to Hayes. – Photo by Ken Stern
New Year’s came in with a bang for most people here, with loud fireworks on the west side of the Swinomish Channel signaling the arrival of 2022.
For a few hardy others, though, the calendar turned over with a splash.
Those brave souls, including seven-year-old Porter Weatherford, literally dove into the new year by taking a dip into frigid Swinomish Channel north of La Conner Marina.
Waiting 30 minutes did not make it any warmer.
Former Town Councilmember John Leaver and co-organizer Rick Dole were ready to go in at 11 a.m. but they then recalled they had promoted an 11:30 a.m. start time. The wait did not raise the sub-freezing temperatures on another cold morning Saturday.
Not that the channel’s saltwater felt much warmer. It registered a brisk 48 degrees, according to new Councilmember Dole. Neighbor Randy Hayes was the fourth plunger
Leaver, a veteran of New York winters, was a bit more charitable than was Dole in his assessment of the day’s conditions. He said the channel was 51 degrees when the group hit the water.
In the chatter before the plunge, Leaver wished everyone a happy, healthy new year. Weatherford, in shorts and wrapped in a blanket, hoped it wasn’t going to be that cold. “I thought it would be warm enough to be in for 20 minutes.” Alas, the car dashboard thermometer read 26 degrees at 12:10 p.m. when it was over.
The four plungers posed for photos, cool and calm before going in. Dole handed his hearing aids to his wife, Paulette. The four walked in but none seemed to dive or go completely under.
Most impressive was how calm and collected each was after coming out. Later Leaver noted he was slipping and sliding, that the channel bottom was slippery.
“It was cold,” Leaver said, “no matter what.”
“It was definitely colder this year,” added Dole, “but it was still fun.”
Leaver texted a statement to the Weekly News before the plunge:
“Our little but mighty group wishes all a happy, healthy New Year 2022. We are here for a few reasons: to invigorate our town for the year ahead; to prove the adage that whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and, finally, we want to reposition La Conner as a BEACH TOWN! WATCH OUT Miami: we’re coming for you”
Heidi Fair, a mother of three, brought her kids and hot chocolate for polar plungers and the dozen or so spouses, family, friends and neighbors. Ollie Iversen came to support all things La Conner. Dyann Provenzano, his neighbor, is a neighbor of Dole and Hayes. Jared Fair, Heidi’s husband came from walking with their children on the beach.
Everyone was grateful for the hot soup provided afterward by chef Dana Daniel. The self-styled soup lady served a hearty vegetable sausage soup made with two types of chorizo, one from Mesman Farm from her traveling soup kettle. There was also a sink in the back of her SUV.
From there the plungers, at least, headed for hot showers at home.
Weatherford’s participation further warmed the hearts of Polar Plungers, each of whom referred to the youth not only as the ultimate cool kid but also as “an inspiration” while agreeing that he “stole the show.”
“Porter loved it,” his proud grandmother Sabine Weatherford told the Weekly News. “He did great.”
No doubt about that.
That was just the start to his New Year’s holiday. A couple hours later he was back out in the cold, on his sled, bustling down La Conner’s icy slopes.
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