A great day for a dip
Photos by MANDI BATEMAN Making the largest splash, Dr. Dinning from Coeur d’Alene belly-flopped into the Kootenai River during the Penguin Plunge.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Representing the DYW, the three girls in tutus take the plunge.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN U.S. Olympic Athlete Rebecca Dussault awards South Boundary Fire Chief Tony Rohrwasser with the Most Money Raised award.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Some jumpers posed in mid air, while others just tried to get it over with quickly.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Boundary Search and Dive Rescue Team volunteer Evan Phillips takes the plunge.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN The jumpers and Special Olympics athletes gathered on the dock before the jump, listening to the national anthem.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Shy Porter started the jumpers off with the Star Spangled Banner.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Tom Chaney in the eagle mask, and CJ McVeigh, were the first to jump.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN The youngest competitor, at six years old, bravely takes the leap.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Back flip into the ice cold Kootenai River.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN The Soggy Smurf team, representing South Boundary Fire, took the third place award for costume.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN The Saint Patrick’s Day theme was well represented, in costume and in the air.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN The last jumpers were Sheriffs Reserve Deputies Steve Ussher, Anthony Compton, Brandon Johnson, and Detention Deputy Brandon Blackmore, and Reserve Cpl. Jim Paulus, who all jumped off the Sheriff’s boat.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN South Boundary Fire Chief Tony Rohrwasser and South Boundary Firefighter Michael Powers take the plunge in full costume.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Earning the Judges Choice award along with his brother, this young competitor plunges in style with a backflip.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Despite the sun, the water was icy cold.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN The Penguin Plunge was a great way to have some fun with St. Patrick’s Day.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Rescue diver assists the olderst plunger, 84 year old Marciavee Cossette.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Jumping in groups helped to bolster courage.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Young competitors win the Judges Choice award.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN The sun came out for the 2018 Penguin Plunge, drawing a larger than normal crowd of spectators.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Gift baskets for the silent auction.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN The Spirit Award went to Tom Chaney, for his plunge in the eagle mask.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Marciavee Cossette took the award for Best Costume.
BONNERS FERRY — St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, was a beautiful, sunny day, with warm rays of sun lighting up the snow that still clung to the ground at the Waterway’s building and dock on the frigid Kootenai River.
The perfect day to jump in the icy cold waters.
That was not the thought of most people, but for the brave souls who came out to support and raise money for the Special Olympics, it was the perfect day.
“It was fun and the weather was great,” said Boundary County Sheriff Dave Kramer.
The weather may have contributed to a much larger than usual spectator turnout. Although there were the same amount of jumpers as last year, the total money earned was almost double, earning $7,832 for the Special Olympics.
The youngest participant was six years old, while the oldest, who did a wade in, was 84-year-old Marciavee Cossette, who has been participating for many years. Many participants came representing groups, organizations, and businesses. There were prizes for different categories, such as best costume or spirit.
Shy Porter started the jumpers off with the Star Spangled Banner, while Boundary County Public Information Officer Michael Meier, with help from Kramer, emceed the event. Kramer made sure to make the event particularly festive by adding some green coloring to Irish up the water, followed by bags of ice cubes, just in case the water was not cold enough.
The judges included U.S. Olympic Athlete Rebecca Dussault, Bonner County Magistrate Judge Tera Harden, County Commissioner Dan Dinning and Dennis Dinning (the Dinning Duo), Kootenai Tribe Vice Chair Council Angela Cooper, Bonners Ferry City Council President Rick Alonzo, and 2017 Distinguished Young Women Runner Up Haley Wenk.
“It was awesome,” said Boundary County Clerk Glenda Poston. “I never went and they said it was fun to watch, which it totally is. The lucky charms guy, Keith, was jumping, so I am glad I came. It was fun and it was a beautiful day for it.”
First time jumper TJ Paske, who recently moved here from New Jersey, made a valiant leap into the cold Kootenai.
“I’ve been up here for a few months,” he said. “I loved it. It was great. When I jumped in, I took the long way out because I wanted to challenge myself.”
South Boundary Fire Chief Tony Rohrwasser, who jumped with South Boundary Firefighter Michael Powers as Team Soggy Smurf, won the award for most money earned, bringing in $1,300.
“It wasn’t warm at all,” said the costumed Rohrwasser.
“The appropriate word would be invigorating,” Powers responded.
The team took third place in Best Costume.
Boundary Search and Dive Rescue member Richard Cowell traded in his usual jump for being a big part in helping organize the event, working on the raffle among other things.
“It was fantastic,” said Cowell. “Biggest crowd turnout I have seen in a long time. I’ve jumped for the last three years and this is the best weather I have seen, the best turnout that I have seen … it’s better than ever.”
The event had safety well in hand, with the Sheriff boat near, many hands on the dock, and rescue divers in the water, assisting people as they plunged into the icy water. Among the rescue divers was Boundary Search and Rescue Vice Commander Tony Jeppesen.
“It’s cold,” he remarked, “but was a lot of fun. Watching everybody jump and being able to get that first hand view is pretty fun.”
Another competitor, also representing the Boundary County Search and Dive Team, was Evan Phillips, who described the experience as “bone-chilling cold.”
“It’s good to do it,” he insisted with a smile. “It’s good for the soul.”
The judges’ choice went to two brothers. One was one of the youngest competitors, and the other did a daring backflip into the cold water. The Distinguished Young Women secured the Team Spirit Award, decked out in colorful tutus.
“Everyone should get a reward for jumping into that river,” said judge Dussault.
The day was fun for both spectators and participants. Danielle Ahrens was attending for the first time.
“I thought this was great. Seeing the community turn out to help people… I just love it,” said Ahrens. “The Jaws music, The Beach Boys, the sun — it’s wonderful.”
At the end, people filtered away with smiles on their faces, having enjoyed a good show and good company. Some won gift baskets in the silent auction, or enjoyed a hot dog or cookie. The jumpers had warmed up in a hot tub provided by North Idaho Spa. Many people and businesses came together in the community, all to benefit the athletes of the Special Olympics, and to smile and laugh in the sun and snow.