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Jumpers brave cool waters to support Special Olympics

Brad Comuzzi said it didn’t feel any warmer jumping in Lake Superior the second time.
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More than 300 jumpers took part in this year's annual Polar Bear Plunge at Marina Park. (Leith Dunick, tbnewswatch.com)

Brad Comuzzi said it didn’t feel any warmer jumping in Lake Superior the second time.

But shivering or not, the Thunder Bay corrections officer said it was worth the shock to his body after his second dip Saturday at Marina Park, moments after taking part in the sixth annual Polar Bear Plunge in support of Special Olympics.

“I kind of got roped in the second time,” Comuzzi said. “But why not, it’s for a good cause.”

Helping those with learning disabilities take part in athletic endeavours of their own, was good enough for Comuzzi to take part.

“It was painstaking. It wasn’t actually warm in there,” he said.

“It’s shocking. You hit the water and it sucks the air right out of your lungs. Yeah, it’s a shocking event.”

It was Taylor Dewling’s third time in the water over the years.

A volunteer with Special Olympics bowling, Dewling said she didn’t need much convincing to take part in the event, which drew hundreds of spectators, who cheered and jostled for prime photo and video locations as their friends and family hit the water.

“I’ve always wanted to do it. It’s something that’s been on my bucket list,” said the Sault Ste. Marie native, who has yet to take part in the polar plunge put on by her grandfather in her hometown.

“I figured when I came up here, I may as well.”

But no matter how prepared she thinks she is, there’s no way to brace yourself for the cold, she added.

“It’s pure shock. It just kind of hits you like a brick wall. So it’s not very enjoyable.”

Michael Lundy was one of the first jumpers into square hole cut into the ice, manned by a crew of cold-water divers on site as a precaution.

The corrections worker has taken the challenge in five of the past six years and loves the event.

“It’s definitely cold, but you know what, it’s so much fun. We do this every year,” he said. “It takes your breath away and you just want to make sure your heart’s going to start again.”

Organizers said they hope to raise about $60,000 for Special Olympics with more than 300 participants taking the plunge into the -1 C water.

Staff Sgt. Ryan Gibson said the money will be used to transport athletes and their families to Special Olympics events.

A past participant, Gibson said it’s all about combining fun with a little fundraising.

“It’s something different. It’s maybe a celebration of spring coming, perhaps. You can see we’ve got a number of teams here. They dress up in costumes. They’re going to go back and have a good time afterward up at Prince Arthur’s Landing,” Gibson said.

“It just gets you pumped.”

It’s the reaction of the jumpers as they surface for air that excites Gibson the most.

“The expressions on their faces are priceless,” he said.

 

 



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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