Penguin Plunge 2013 a day to remember
March 10, 2013
The 2013 Special Olympics Bonners Ferry Penguin Plungers were greeted by balmy conditions today, this group shot taken as the event got underway isn't all of them; several were busy slathering on lotion and/or working on their tan.
By Mike Weland

Boundary County Sheriff Greg Sprungl couldn't attend Saturday's Penguin Plunge, and it showed. After the past few years of his turning the waters of the Kootenai cold with the traditional dumping of ice, two officers; Bonners Ferry Police Chief Steve Benkula and Chief Deputy Rich Stephens both did the honor this year, but it wasn't the same.

When Greg poured in the ice, cubes could be seen by close watchers to be shrieking and shivering under blustery gray skies, pushed by winds that could blow away tents, and driven to misery by sleet, rain and/or snow.

Not this year.

The slight breeze died on cue, the sun came out to shine. Despite double the amount of ice, the cubes did a leisurely back stroke and seemed to say, "come on in! Water's fine!"

With the sun out, the water was a balmy 38-degrees F. What North Idaho natives call beach weather.

"This was kind of fun," one jumper said later. "I'm going to have to go for a swim just to cool down!"

While the numbers aren't yet in, this year's Penguin Plunge ... an event that traditionally only attracts the most intrepid, was an unqualified success. Brian Phillips and Justin Scott traveled all the way from Spokane to make a splash, and a tiny wisp of a woman, Marciavee Cossette, age not important, showed the young whippersnappers how things were done back in the day.

But most talk was reserved for the team from Safeway, a group that hasn't missed a single Penguin Plunge.

A checker who works in the bakery went in in full uniform, but the crowd was checking out her bikini-clad teammates. Had the temperature been just another degree higher, the tiki lights would have been out and the beach party may well have lasted to nightfall.

Helping warm spirits this year was the new venue, the Boundary County Waterways boat launch, offering a warm house and tables inside full of hot cocoa, coffee, and chili.

The waterways building wasn't tested Saturday, but all signs thus far indicate it may well be the location of choice in years to come ... The warming huts don't blow away!

There may well forever be controversy regarding the judging, however.

Joshua Olmo, supervising agent of the FBI Bureau office in Coeur d'Alene, who recently moved to North Idaho with his family from more moderate climes, thought it was cold out.

Judges Bonners Ferry Assistant Police Chief Joel Minor and Bonner County Prosecutor Louis Marshall fell down laughing.

Judge Brad Berdusco, Canadian Border Service, made this an International incident when he guffawed, "Oh, this is rich!"

He did not say, "eh."

Emcee JoJo Baker, KBFI Radio and Blue Sky Broadcasting, was not so reticent.

"This is barely warm," he said.

"It's not cold?" agent Olmo asked.

"I'm talking about the chili," Jojo replied. "Not quite as hot as I like it. Needs more pepper."

Once again this year, the Idaho Special Olympics Penguin Plunge was made possible with a lot of help, and thanks go out to the local law enforcement community, who organize the event each year and who are always on hand to ensure the safety of all who participate, to Super 1 Foods, Safeway, Bonners Ferry Conoco, Red Rooster Coffee and Under the Sun, the Kootenai River Brewing Company, Well Life Pharmacy, Mugsy's and WalMart for their donations, and especially to those who made the 2013 Penguin Plunge and all the folks who came out to cheer them on.
The Safeway crew looked a wee bit hesitant as they reached dockside, but they didn't bide long ...
... Taking a deep breath and a leap of faith.
... To discover that the Kootenai was just a wee bit chilly despite the long-awaited sunshine!
Some teams showed a bit more style going into the water, as evidenced by Carolyn "Kneivel" Testa and her crew, who turned a fine pirouette on the way to the water ...
... Though their moment of grace was short-lived. "Penguin Plunge completed," Carolyn wrote on Facebook later. "Gorgeous sun makes you feel like you can do anything. Even jump into 38 degree water."
Ever in uniform, Tish Lagerwey and Sue Wilson, both with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, came out of the cold Kootenai looking only slightly worse for the wear ...
... Their counterparts from north of the border at Kingsgate also took the plunge this year, making the leap with their nation's banner proudly displayed. When they came out of the water, though, that bright red maple leaf had turned blue, but they went away with one of two Judge's Choice awards for their daring dive.
Guests arrived from the south, too, as the Bonner County dive team jumped in wearing all the latest in high-tech dive gear.
The Bonners Ferry Police Department was well represented, though choice of attire differed somewhat. Retired (but still active) former Police Chief Dave Kramer chose to go tactical, while Officer Willie Cowell opted for a more laid back look befitting the balmy temperature. "Oh SWAT, that water was cold!" Kramer later quipped.
   
Through it all, judges Joshua Olmo, Louis Marshall, Brad Berdusco and Joel Minor stayed warm, but theirs was the toughest job of the day ...
... As some of this year's Penguin Plungers made quite a splash.
It wasn't just cops Freezin' for a Reason; kids in cowboy hat, Mom and even the family dog made the chilly plunge for Idaho Special Olympics as dive team member Caleb Watts keeps an eye on things!
Among those livening the spirit of the event was Marciavee Cossette, attired in a stunning blue gown and wearing a hat evoking the arrival of spring, who had a quiet moment of reflection, perhaps to wonder why anyone would want do such a crazy thing ...
... Before blithely (and bravely!) wading out into the icy water!
As always, law enforcement personnel were joined in the icy plunge by others who protect and serve, as South Boundary Fire Chief Tony Rohrwasser led his crew, looking just Smurfy, into the water.
The team from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol won one of this year's coveted Judge's Choice awards ...
... And the overall Spirit Award went to Team Safeway, gratefully accepted on their behalf by Kat Burnham.
Looking considerably more comfortable after a change out of sodden attire, Marciavee was awarded the prize for Best Costume ...
... And Judge Louis Marshall was honored to present Bonners Ferry Police Officer Tiffany Murray, who does so much each year to help organize the Bonners Ferry Penguin Plunge, the award for raising the most money for Idaho Special Olympics.