More than 800 people rushed into Lake George and quickly rushed back out this New Year’s Day for Polar Plunge 2023 at Shepard Park Beach. The tradition of donning a bathing suit and braving the winter waters on New Year’s Day began in 1973 when Al Mottola, then President of the Coney Island Polar Bear Club, came to Lake George for an icy dip. In recent years, the event has been organized by Duffy’s Tavern as a fundraiser for Shriners Hospital and the local fire department.
Erin Coufal of Albany says this is the first year she participated in the New Year’s Day Polar Plunge. She and her family drove up from Albany specifically to jump into Lake George. Noting that the 40-degree temperature was mild compared to past years, Coufal says, “We figured if we were going to do it, this would be the year.”
First Responders and dive teams from the Lake George, North Queensbury, Bay Ridge, Hague and Corinth Fire Departments manned the rescue boats and took up positions in the swimming area to ensure safety. Local Shriners handled crowd control.
The crowd plunged in three waves with the first wave of 400 entering the lake at 1 p.m. The second wave of 400 went in at 1:30 and the final wave of approximately two dozen people plunged at 2 p.m. Following the plunge, Duffy’s held an after-party at the Lower Amherst Street tavern.
The Lake George Winter Carnival, which is held each weekend in February, also holds polar plunges each day of the Carnival.
Photos: New Year’s Polar Plunge 2023
Gillian, Great Story! I never knew the history of the New Year’s Day Polar Plunge!
Are there other photos posted elsewhere? Would love to have photo documentation of me hanging out in the lake, relaxing…until I all but got kicked out of the water 🙂
The new gated in beach fence makes this not enjoyable like past years. Too cramped and will no longer be doing the plunge