Hundreds jump into the cold water of Big Chico Creek at Sycamore Pool on Monday, Jan. 1, 2023 in what has become an annual community event call the polar bear plunge in Chico, California. (Jennie Blevins/Enterprise-Record)
CHICO — Suzanne McGowan began practicing for the polar bear plunge a few months ago by taking cold showers.
“I got up to a three minute cold shower,” she said.
The swim at Sycamore Pool is a yearly event in which hundreds of people jump into the cold water on New Year’s Day and swim to the other side.
“It’s a new year, new me,” McGowan said. “A new start for everything.”
McGowan said she wanted to turn old patterns into new and healthy patterns Monday. McGowan carried camelias, her favorite flower, in a plastic bag which she planned to throw into the pool as she swam. McGowan has lived in Chico for 35 years and graduated from Chico State. She works as a speech pathologist.
Shelby Sharrah was participating in her first plunge with her 9-year-old daughter Reese Sharrah.
“I’m trying to do new things in the new year,” Sharrah said.
Sharrah has lived in Chico her entire life and had never taken the plunge before. She said she was looking forward to it.
Luis Montenegero attended the plunge with his wife and a couple of his children. Montenegero planned to do the plunge with his 17 year old.
Montenegero was getting back to basics with this year’s plunge as he had plunged twice about 20 years ago. Montenegero, who grew up in Live Oak, said he participated in the plunge as a younger man and wanted to revisit the event now that he’s a bit older.
“It’s a really cool tradition and really fun,” he said.
Sam Steadman was participating in his 15th plunge. He started the event when he was in the fifth grade. Steadman said he learned about the plunge from his parents and his dad has plunged before, so Steadman was following in his footsteps.
Steadman even plunged during the COVID-19 pandemic years by swimming at a different hour.
“I love this event,” Steadman said. “It’s the coolest community event in Chico. There is nothing like it.”
Abbie Moriarty did her first plunge three years ago when she was on a cruise to Antarctica.
“Someone on the ship asked if anyone wanted to do it, and I raised my hand,” Moriarty said. “I jumped into the ocean surrounded by icebergs.”
Moriarty said the plunge “makes you feel alive” and that it is a significant part of life. Moriarty’s friends worked as her entourage handing her a towel and a robe after the plunge was finished.
Even out of towners wanted to take the plunge. Svetlana Korotkedich, who is originally from Russia, was visiting family in Chico and had heard about the event.
“If there is a body of water I’m going to jump into it,” Korotkedich said. “And it’s a self-challenge.”
