43 Take the Plunge – KRTN Enchanted Air Radio

By Marty Mayfield

KRTN Multi-Media

Another one of those Chamber of Commerce winter days at Lake Maloya greeted participants of the 2015 Polar Bear Plunge Thursday afternoon.

43 participants braved the cold waters of the lake to say they did it. According to Jared Chatterly Raton Parks and Rec Department director there were about 37 people who had signed up for the plunge online. Another six participants signed up at the plunge Thursday afternoon. Temperatures were in the upper 20s with water temperatures being just above 32 degrees.

Bob McIvor with the New Mexico State Parks carved out “2015 Raton” from the 5-inch thick ice on the lake as they prepared for the plunge. Bob was joined by Rick Martin from Ute Lake State Park and David Gurule from Cimarron Canyon State Park to assist the jumpers as they moved out of the frigid water.

Many of the participants were heard to say afterwards how the water just took their breath away.

This ice sculpture by Bob McIvor greeted participants and spectators at Lake Maloya for the 2015 Polar Bear Plunge Thursday afternoon.

Bob McIvor, David Gurle and Rick Martin clear some of the new ice buildup before the 2015 Polar Bear Plunge at Lake Maloya Thursday afternoon.

Some of the 43 participants of the polar bear plunge Thursday afternoon.

Rick Martin, Bob McIvor and David Gurule behind the ice sculpture that Bob carved out of the ice for the 2015 Polar Bear Plunge. they suited up to help the jumpers brave the fridge waters.

Additional photos can be seen at http://www.martymayfieldphoto.com/Events/Polar-Bear-Plunge-2015/