Pilot Club of Cullman members Nan Auston and Charlotte Ecklund were the last the exit the pool.
CULLMAN – On Saturday Cullman Parks and Recreation (CP&R) hosted its annual Community Wellness Day at the Wellness and Aquatic Center. The center opened to the public for a day of free swimming and exercise, as well as a health fair. Memberships could be purchased at a $50 discount.
CP&R's Waid Harbison shared a little about the event: "The biggest thing about this is we're offering free admission today. We really want people who maybe don't come to the facility, that aren't able to come to the facility, that have big families that might be a little expensive, to really come out and enjoy swimming in our pools, enjoy our fitness classes or the workout room or anything like that."
The big draw for many, though, was what some people might consider the least healthy thing you could do at the center on this day: the annual Polar Bear Plunge. People were pulling off their overcoats, stripping down to their swimsuits and getting ready to jump into the outdoor (that's OUTDOOR) pool. For the record, the air temperature at the time of the plunge (11 a.m.) was 21 degrees. Most people do it to prove something to themselves, a few are taking dares, a few are promoting a cause and some are just taking a shot at the free one-year membership to be given by drawing to one lucky participant.
I walked outside to get the lay of the land a few minutes before the event started, and in a fittingly prophetic twist, over the loudspeakers came Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb."
Harbison, who was registering participants for the Plunge, said of the turnout, "It's actually going to be a little less than normal, obviously, with the cancelations, snow and ice on the roads, that sort of thing yesterday. It's a little bit down; but the good thing for the people that are jumping, they've got a better chance to win that one-year membership."
At that point, Harbison estimated that close to 30 participants would take the plunge. A last-minute surge in arrivals, though, pushed the number to around 35.
As mentioned earlier, the outside air temperature was 21; but the pool was a little warmer. Harbison shared, "The pool temperature's actually only about 46 degrees, because it was so hot last week; so, it's going to be a lot warmer in the pool than on the pool deck. The bad part's not going to be jumping in, as much as jumping out."
Nan Auston, whom the Tribune recently interviewed, arrived at poolside in her Pilot Club T -shirt a few minutes before the Plunge, and she had company. With her was fellow Pilot Charlotte Ecklund.
When asked what got her out to this event, she responded, "My friend Nan. I thought if she's crazy enough to do it, then I guess I can, too!"
A full cadre of CP&R Aquatic Center lifeguards, along with Cullman Fire Rescue paramedics, was on hand to respond to any emergencies that might occur. Asked if he expected any problem, lifeguard Noah Parker said, "Hopefully not, but we might." He noted that the Plunge has not experienced serious emergencies in the past, but stated, "We're prepared to save lives, prepared for anything and everything."
Aimee Jackson and her son Dameon were at poolside, getting psyched up. When asked if they were jumping, Dameon was still a little unsure, saying, "I think so." His mom said, "We are going to try to win the free membership. He loves swimming, so this is mainly for him."
Then they jumped, and all speculation ended. Auston and Ecklund jumped hand-in-hand (Auston noted that doing so would make sure Ecklund got pulled in if she didn't jump), Dameon and his mom both jumped and no one among the approximately 35 around the pool seemed to give in to last minute jitters.
The only ones at poolside who didn't jump in were the lifeguards. The Plunge came off, as usual, without a hitch.
And as quickly as they jumped in, they started coming back out. Some, especially the kids, hit the sides of the pool so fast, they almost seemed to have just bounced off the water. Auston and Ecklund were the last to exit the pool, taking time to wave to friends and supporters as they calmly strolled to the pool steps.
On her way, Ecklund was heard quietly stating, "Never, ever, ever again."
Christy Turner, CP&R's recreational development director, who also took the Plunge, said afterwards, "I hope it was fun for everybody. It's not something you do every day."
Back inside, CP&R held the drawing for the free year's membership, awarding the prize to Ricky Goodwin. When asked what brought him to the Plunge, he replied, "Actually it was my wife; it was all her." His wife Ashley Goodwin added, "I talked him into it. I wanted the free membership; I'm a cheap person!" Ricky Goodwin confidently concluded, "It wasn't that bad, really. It was kind of an adrenaline rush."
According to Harbison, the $50 membership discount, originally to be offered only on Saturday, has been extended. Due to the weather and resulting difficulty for some people trying to get to the center, the discount offer will be available through Monday, Jan. 9. For more information, visit https://cullmanrecreation.org/facilties-parks/cullman-wellness-aquatic-center/.
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