Stertil-Koni Polar Bear Plunge Participants Prep: Warm Thoughts!

For the third year in a row, the Stertil-Koni team will participate in the Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge benefitting the Special Olympics of Maryland.

This year, a record number of participants, 14, will walk from a changing tent at Sandy Point State Park to the coastline of the Chesapeake Bay, and continue on into the icy waters, all in the name of raising money for Special Olympics – and of course fun!

So how do these brave souls prepare for the frigid dip in the Chesapeake Bay?

Organizer, Kevin Hymers, thinks about the result: 15 minutes of pain for a year of bragging rights.

Peter Bowers, who jokingly calls the group, an “evil cult” will plunge for the first time, as will Kevin’s wife, Robin. This came about from an “I will if you will” bet. Peter adds, it’s a company event and we should all do it, but he would prefer a summer “flamingo plunge.”

Veteran plunger Robyn Collier “just likes the cold,” and gathers courage in her own way. Matthias Lennemann plans his own unique attack – petroleum jelly on his legs and arms – allowing the cold Bay to roll off, like water running off a duck’s back.

Marketing team members Nathan Wright and Jill Kubatko agree – just don’t think about it. “I try not to think about it. I don’t check the weather, it’s going to be cold regardless. You don’t want to get inside your own head,” notes Nathan.