By LEE B. ROBERTS
Journal Times | Posted: Friday, December 28, 2007 12:00 am
While the rest of us may still be at home, celebrating the first day of 2008 with a late breakfast in bed, Ben Oksiuta, Jason Greenwood and J.C. Conyn will be getting ready for what they feel is the best way to spend New Year's Day.
That's when the trio, with hundreds of others in tow, head down to North Beach to take a dip in the frigid waters of Lake Michigan.
While such exhilarating activity may not be everyone's idea of fun in the New Year, for the Splash n' Dash crew, the annual Polar Bear Plunge is an occasion not to be missed. Sure, these guys are a little crazy, but once you know their motives, their methods don't seem quite so mad.
The Splash n' Dash plunge, which started with a group of eight firefighters back in 1990 and has grown in recent years to more than 400 jumpers, is more than just a chance to prove one's tolerance for cold. It is a fundraising event which has raised in excess of $20,000 each year for the last three years for local charities. Next year's event, which will take place at noon on New Year's Day, will benefit three local organizations - the Homeless Assistance Leadership Organization shelter; the Racine County Food Bank and the local Kiwanis Foundation Scholarship Fund.
Here's how it works. Anyone who is willing and able can jump in the lake. Those who want to help raise funds can do so by getting their friends, family and co-workers to sponsor them in their plunge. Pledge sheets can be downloaded from the new Splash and Dash Web site. (http://www.splashanddashracine.com). Donations of cash and non-perishable food will also be accepted at the beach on the day of the plunge.
Everyone who jumps gets a Splash and Dash T-shirt (while supplies last) and those who collect $150 or more in pledges will receive a 2008 Splash and Dash beach towel.
Money is also raised through corporate sponsorship of the event and this year's corporate sponsors have already pledged nearly $15,000 to the cause, according to Oksiuta.
"That's darn close to a record for us," he said. "There are quite a few new companies involved this year and others, like Ruud Lighting, have upped their pledge. We are doing great in the area of corporate sponsorship."
"That amount is up $2,000 from last year's corporate sponsorship," said Greenwood. "If we can match that with donations on the day of the plunge, that would be real good. Our goal is to beat Pancake Day and Thoughts for Food in the amount of money raised."
The addition of the Splash and Dash Web site - the creation of which was donated by Image Management - has made it easier for jumpers to register in advance for the event and to start collecting pledges, Oksiuta said. A countdown clock also makes it easier to see how much time is left until the big event, which takes place at noon.
Having downloadable forms available online makes the whole process more convenient, he said.
"The response we've had is very encouraging," Oksiuta said.
Even those who aren't thrilled by the idea of a January swim are invited to come to North Beach on New Year's Day to see what all the excitement is about. Last year's dip drew about 1,000 people total to the beach, Oksiuta said.
For those thinking about making the plunge, here are a few safety tips to keep in mind:
* Footwear is recommended for entering the water.
* Have a support team waiting with dry clothes to change into.
* Be considerate of other jumpers - no pushing.
* All summer beach rules apply.
* Safety divers will be in the water.
Go fly a kite
Still not convinced that running into Lake Michigan is a great way to spend New Year's Day? Here's another, drier option for celebrating the first day of 2008 in the great outdoors.
It's called the Cool Fool Kite Festival and it takes place from noon to 5 p.m. on New Year's Day in Veteran's Park on Milwaukee's lake front. For the last 21 years, the festival has drawn thousands of people of all ages down to the lake front to share the first day of the new year flying kites, watching ice sculptors and enjoying free hot chocolate and snacks (while they last). This year there will also be horse-drawn buggy rides available for a nominal fee, as well as hot food (brats, burgers etc.) available for sale.
The rest of the festival, along with plenty of on-site parking, is free, according to Scott Fisher, event organizer and owner of the Gift of Wings kite shop in Veterans Park. Participants can bring their own kites, or purchase one at the kite shop. And, if you think that January isn't a good time for flying kites, think again, says Fisher.
"The idea that March and April are the only months of the year that are good for flying kites is really a myth, especially down here on the lake front." he said. "Veterans Park is built on a landfill site that extends way out into Lake Michigan and there are prevailing winds off the water all the time."
Such conditions have earned the location a place in the top ten kite-flying parks in the country, as named by Kite Lines Magazine, Fisher said.
He encourages those who want to see for themselves on New Year's Day to dress warmly and come have a great time. For more information, go to http://www.giftofwings.com or call (414) 425-9993.
Take it inside
If you need a little indoor respite after all that fresh air, the nearby Milwaukee Art Museum is open for business on New Year's day. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and general admission is $8 adults, $6 seniors, $4 students and free for children 12 and under, when accompanied by an adult.
There is still time to catch the current special exhibition at the MAM, "Martin Ramirez," which closes on Jan. 13. Ramirez is a self-taught Mexican artist who the New York Times calls "Simply one of the greatest artists of the 20th Century,"
Special tickets, which include museum admission, are required for entry into the Ramírez exhibit. They cost $14 for adults, $12 seniors and $10 students. For more information about Ramirez and the MAM, visit http://www.mam.org