By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
The 2019 Polar Bear Plunge at Lake Maloya came and went quickly with only nine jumpers for the 5th annual event this year.
While the water temperature was about 32 degrees the air temperature dipped into the lower teens at 11.4 degrees and with a five mph wind the wind chill was bone numbing. The jumpers began shortly after 1:00 p.m. and took just over five minutes to finish the event. As the jumpers exited the water many high tailed it to the tent to dry off and grab warm clothes in front of a pot belly stove fire.
After the jumpers completed their plunge the kiddos started theirs in a big pile of snow located in the parking lot where candy and money was hidden.
Here is a list of the jumpers provided by Raton Parks and Recreation Department
Rae Jean Barry
Liz Wick
LeRoy Mestas
Madison Phanx
Mariah Gonzales
Shawn Meaker
Beven Fleming
Jack Polen
Connie Vigil
Jared Chatterly with the Raton Parks and Recreation Department noted that “After some discussion with State Park staff we have decided that this will be the last plunge for the foreseeable future. We may consider revisiting it again a few years from now.”
