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    Grocott's Mail
    You are at:Home»OUR TOWN»Polar Plunge: Crazy in Makhanda
    OUR TOWN

    Polar Plunge: Crazy in Makhanda

    Grocott's MailBy Grocott's MailJune 22, 2023Updated:June 26, 2023No Comments2 Mins Read
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    By Steven Lang

    About 25 people gathered at Grey Dam for the annual ‘Polar Plunge’ recently. The icy swim is a Makhanda ritual, held every year for the past 23 years to celebrate the winter solstice.

    Before the plunge started, the organiser, Professor George Euvrard, made his way into the cold water until he was waist-deep, facing the bank. Barely containing his shivering, he gave the swimmers basic instructions and then recited the mantra:

    “We are gathered here this morning to celebrate the end of the longest night of the year and to welcome back into our lives greater light and warmth and at the same time, we use this opportunity to commit ourselves again to bringing greater light, warmth, and love into the world as we go ‘into the light'”.

    The crazy Makhandans jumped into the freezing cold waters and then swam around the remnants of an old jetty, before heading back to land further down the shore.

    As they left the cold waters, they were punished for their courage by an icy breeze wafting over the dam. The reward, however, was a welcome hot chocolate provided by the organisers.

    It’s hard to balance in the icy cold water. Photo: Steven Lang.
    Prof George Euvrard tells swimmers to leave the night behind them and go forth ‘into the light’. Photo: Steven Lang.
    Tim Dold of PG Glass, one of the organisers of the Plunge poses with a brave swimmer. PG Glass provided hot chocolate for the swimmers. Photo: Steven Lang.
    Strauss De Jager was not fazed by the weather – he takes a cold shower every morning. Photo: Steven Lang.
    Not only was it very cold at Grey Dam but it was dark. The event started at 07h00 but sunrise was at 07h17. Photo: Steven Lang.
    Participants were so cold, it was difficult to get out of the water and climb the bank. Photo: Steven Lang.
    Most Polar Plunge participants tended to enter the water rather gingerly, but some just dived in. Photo: Steven Lang.
    Oh, this water is so cold! Photo: Steven Lang.
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