Polar Plungers prepare for icy bath

PALMER — The Mat-Su Polar Plunge has a message for the Mat-Su Valley: Go jump in the lake.

Tomorrow morning, a group of semi-sane locals will take this advice and plunge — in costume — into Finger Lake for charity.

Not a new concept, cold-water plunging to benefit charities like the Special Olympics have been raking in funds and support in Virginia, Wisconsin, Montana, Colorado and Chicago for decades, with the Mat-Su Valley’s Polar Plunge entering its fourth year.

Marty Mativa, organizer for the Mat-Su Polar Plunge, said the event is chillingly fun and for an awesome cause. Mativa is a Wasilla city councilman and area director for the Mat-Su Special Olympics. In 2005, the Mat-Su Special Olympics team needed help and the organization was looking for ways to raise funds.

“There was the only team that didn’t have uniforms,” Mativa said about the local Special Olympians. “I don’t have thousands of dollars, but I wanted to help, so I said, ‘Let’s raise some money.’”

Taking the idea that jumping into near-freezing water in winter doubles as entertainment, the first Polar Plunge was born at Lake Lucille in Wasilla early that December. More than $18,000 was raised.

“When they marched in the [Special Olympics] parade, they looked proud,” Mativa said of the local contingent. “I was proud to be a part of that. Every year since, proceeds goes to the Special Olympics, which holds a special place in my heart.”

In the two years since then, 30 to 60 jumpers have made the ultimate commitment, many wearing elaborate costumes and attempting tricky diving techniques with hundreds of spectators looking on in support.

“It’s definitely a fun, fun, fundraiser,” Mativa said.

To take the jump, participants must pay a minimum sign-up fee of $50, which they can raise through pledges. After signing a waiver of liability and a release form, the lucky diver then jumps into a 20-foot hole cut into the lake.

Plunge at your own risk. Last year, the water temperature was 28 degrees.

“We always have a dive team and emergency services on hand,” Mativa said, adding there have been no medical emergencies from the plunge in the past three years. “The Mat-Su Dive Team use this as a training opportunity, so it works out well.”

In 2006, the Polar Plunge moved to Wasilla Lake, then back to Lake Lucille in 2007 when $8,000 was raised. Concern these areas lacked convenience for spectators and jumpers, the Plunge needed a home. Last year, Mativa spoke with his fellow members of the Palmer Elks Club 1842 about moving the 2008 Polar Plunge to the Elks’ Lodge at Finger Lake.

Elks members had previous experience raising money for Special Olympics, having organized Down on the Farm, an event that raised more than $5,000 last summer. The Elks plunged in to help.

“This is the perfect venue,” Mativa said. “The plungers need a warm place to change, there’s plenty of kids games. It was just ideal. This will be the future and longtime home for the Mat-Su Valley Polar Plunge.”

Red carpet will be rolled out near the diving hole with hot chocolate provided to all the jumpers courtesy First National Bank of Alaska. Alaska River Sports will also be dishing out bowls of soup to take the edge off the spine-chilling affair.

Since its inception, roughly $30,000 has been raised to help local charities and organizations in the Mat-Su Valley, including the Wasilla Area Senior Center, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Alaska, the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce, the Red Cross of Alaska and the Mat-Su Special Olympics team.

Cindy Dutton, a member of the Mat-Su Special Olympics fundraising committee, said Mativa’s dedication to the Mat-Su Olympics is incomparable.

“It’s wonderful that he’s continued to keep us in the fundraising efforts as the continuous organization for this event,” Dutton said. “It’s great that he’s helping others in need too. I think the people that come to jump are very dedicated. They’d have to be to jump in that water.”

Registration and other necessary forms can be completed at www.matsuplunge.com. Participants can bring their entry fee with them tomorrow.

Aside from the change of location this year, the Mat-Su Polar Plunge has a few other add-ons. Breakfast will be served from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. inside the Elks Lodge with a lunch menu of burgers, brats and barbecue throughout the day.

Prizes will be given to the person who raised the most money and for best costumes. The Elks added an ice horseshoes and ice golf tournament this year with the ever-popular fish toss and frozen chicken bowling returning to entertain all.

Mativa said he plans to jump this year as he has in the past.

“I had to jump twice last year,” he said. “I pretty much walked across the water.”

The fourth annual Mat-Su Polar Plunge kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Palmer Elks Lodge off Bogard Road in Palmer. Cost is $50 per jump, free for the general public. For a full list of events, visit www.Matsuplunge.com. This event is sponsored by the Palmer Elks Club 1842, Wal-Mart, First National Bank of Alaska, Alaska River Sports Inc., the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, ITS Alaska and Valley Radio KMBQ 99.7.