Get into the swim of things, 2002-style

By Meg Olson

This year’s polar bear swim has an added bonus that might get even the most shivery into the water – hot tubs.

For a donation to the Blaine Boys and Girls Club chilly swimmers will be able to drive away the ocean’s sting with a dip in one of two hot tubs brought to the site by Country Pools and Spas.

With swim founder Eddie Lathers and his Tideflats restaurant leaving Birch Bay this year, sponsorship of the event has been taken over by recent arrival to the drive Bank NorthWest, which has brought other Birch Bay businesses on board to make this year’s swim a worthy successor to previous years.

“Bank NorthWest is proud to carry the torch forward on this longtime community event,” said branch manager Nick Jerns. “As a newcomer we’re very excited to have the opportunity to build on past successes.”

This year swimmers will take the plunge into Birch Bay’s frosty waters between the Drydock Pub and Bob’s OK Corral at 12:15 p.m. on New Year’s Day. Another difference will be registration for the event, which has not been required in past years. Swimmers can register at any Bank NorthWest branch or on the day of the swim.

Besides hot tubs to warm up returning swimmers, Kim’s Coffee Café and Bank NorthWest will provide free coffee, hot cider and hot chocolate and Bob’s OK Corral will offer a chili and soup buffet.

Each swim participant will receive a certificate of achievement. There will also be prizes for the youngest and oldest participants, most and least dressed, best costume and crowd favorite.

Parking for the event is available at the Trendwest resort building.
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