Men of the North founder Christopher Merasty jumps into icy Lac La Ronge. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

new event

Northerners strip down for Polar Bear Plunge

Mar 11, 2023 | 2:30 PM

It was an exhilarating experience for about 20 residents from the tri-communities who participated in the Polar Bear Plunge on Saturday.

The fundraiser was hosted by Men of the North (MOTN) and took place at La Ronge’s downtown beach in Patterson Park. It raised more than $3,500 with MOTN receiving half of the proceeds and the Canadian Mental Health Association receiving the other half.

“It was fantastic. I wasn’t expecting that many jumpers,” said MOTN founder Christopher Merasty. “I thought maybe there was going to be five, then it turned out to be close to 20 jumpers. It was absolutely amazing.”

Those participating, as an individual or group of six, were expected to collect pledges in order to take the plunge. Individuals had to raise at least $50, while teams needed to raise $250. Burgers and hotdogs were also served during the event.

COMMUNITY CHAMPION

Dwight King receives Leadership Excellence Award for inspiring youth through sports

1h ago

SUPPORT AND PREVENTION

'They are not alone': Sask. RCMP address rising domestic violence with prevention and support programs

21h ago

Battlefords North Stars Preview

Nipawin game postponed, then North Stars visit Bruins for the first time

21h ago

Merasty wanted to give a special thanks to the La Ronge Regional Fire Department for volunteering. Firefighters were assisting the jumpers while in the water and afterwards.

“They came out here and were sitting in the water waiting for any potential struggles with any of the plungers going in and not coming out,” he said. “They all went through fine and we are looking forward to it again next year.”

Rebecca Green jumps into Lac La Ronge during the event. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

Matthew Maurer holds his nose as he leaps into Lac La Ronge. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

Morgan Bell was one of about 20 jumpers on Saturday. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

While the fundraiser didn’t meet it’s goal of $6,000, it did raise enough to have the new deputy-fire chief Jay Wood to take the plunge. He said it was his first time participating in such an event and he called it refreshing.

“It wasn’t bad hitting the water, but getting out was kind of,” Wood said. “When your head comes out above the water, it’s cold.”

Five students from the Northern Saskatchewan Indigenous Teacher Education Program collected $250 in donations and participated. Second-year student Samantha Ratt explained it was something she’s always wanted to do, noting it wasn’t as bad as she thought it would be.

“If you ever want to knock off something from your bucket list next year, do it. Do the plunge,” she said.

–

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno