The Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club’s 19th Annual Polar Bear Plunge scheduled for Friday has been postponed due to adverse water conditions resulting from the recent heavy rains.
"Our first concern is the safety of our participants, spectators and volunteers," said Morgan House, Manager of the Lake Lanier Olympic Center, where the event has been held on New Year's Day for the past 18 years. "...at this point conditions do not allow for a safe event."
The level of the lake has risen sharply over the past few days and has now flooded part of the venue and other areas around the lake. In addition, a large amount of debris has been washed into Lanier by runoff from the rains.
House said the rains that fell Wednesday morning not only affected the are where the Polar Plunge usually takes place, but also forced the lake level high enough to push water into the boat house on the other side of Clarks Bridge Road.
"We have a dump truck full of sand on the way to help block water and debris [from] getting in the boathouse," said House via text.
Earlier in the day Wednesday, the boat ramp at the Venue was closed.
House added that a new date for the Polar Bear Plunge will be "published soon."
For those individuals and groups that have already registered to participate this year, House expressed appreciation for "your interest and support," while offering three options as a result of the decision to postpone the event, which is a major fundraiser for the Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club:
- Participate in the rescheduled plunge
- Request a refund by making request to [email protected].
- If unable to attend the future date and would still like to receive the t-shirt contact the LCKC office at [email protected].
AccessWDUN's B.J. Williams contributed to this report.
