Polar Plungers prove point

IT could be said there is a thin line between bravery and lunacy — yesterday, that line could have been the tidal mark at St Clair Beach.

With the air temperature dipping below 10degC and the sea not much warmer, about 200 brave souls, many colourfully dressed, braved the Pacific Ocean for the 90th annual Polar Plunge.

While some only dipped their toes in the surf before dashing back to the slightly warmer climes of the beach, others took time to paddle and splash and even go back for a second swim.

All the while, hundreds of fully clothed and warm spectators looked on from the Esplanade.

Plunge organiser and St Clair Surf Life Saving Club member Cam Burrow said he was pleased by the large crowd but thought the conditions could have been a little colder.

‘‘It wasn’t too bad out there compared to some previous years, but there’s still a few people moaning and complaining, so it’s good we’ve got the Fire Service here spraying warm water to keep them happy.’’

While the event doubled as a fundraiser for the club, it was more about keeping the tradition alive than the amount of money raised, Mr Burrow said.

For three St Hilda’s Collegiate pupils, Sophie La Hood, Amelia Kirk, and Sophie Silcock the plunge has become an annual pilgrimage.

‘‘We do it every year. There’s no reason, really, except just to prove to ourselves we can do it,’’ Amelia said.

Others travelled from outside Dunedin to test their fortitude.

South Otago residents Alice Muir, Jazz Finch and Jenna Cunningham all braved the cold conditions to prove to themselves and their friends that they could do it.

‘‘People didn’t think we were going to do it so we just wanted to prove to them we could, and actually, it wasn’t that bad,’’ said Mrs Muir, dressed as a witch.

PHOTOS: LINDA ROBERTSON Waiting and watching . . . Spectators on the Esplanade keep warm while, below, those taking part in the Polar Plunge try to keep warm before running into the ocean. High jinks . . . St Hilda’s pupils (from left) Sophie La Hood, Sophie Silcock and...

Riding it out . . . South Otago residents Alice Muir and Jazz Finch, both of Milton, and Jenna Cunningham, of Waitahuna, travelled to Dunedin to take the plunge and prove to their friends they were brave enough to do it.