Winnipesaukee Forum - Turkey Plunge alternative?

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Turkey Plunge alternative?

Hi.....

I know there is a 'Turkey Plunge' event Nov. 19 at the Lake to raise money for charity....Unfortuanltey, I'll miss that event !:(

I was wondering if there is any type event like this around New Year's Day ?
See these type events near Boston and R.I., but always located at ocean locations.

Obviously, up here at lake Winnie, event would have to be held, at a location where there is open water near shore.

Just curious...... I'd do it ! :)

Thanks,
Bigdog

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog (Post 171959)

GOOD LUCK to you and any one else that would participate in something like that in a lake at that time of the year. I would think the lake would be a lot colder than the ocean isn't it????:)

The only other NH winter plunge that I know of is the Special Olympic Penguin Plunge, which happens on February 12, 2012 at Hampton Beach.

Last of the Turkey Plunge, Saturday

Last group to go in at the Turkey Plunge, yesterday:

https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx...56D3B075F!7387

The craziest, cold and wet thing happening in the Lakes Region on New Year's Day may be the New Year's Day Paddle, complete with rapids, on the Winnipesaukee River.

Quote:

The Merrimack Valley Paddlers and Friends of the Winnipesaukee River had their annual New Years Day Paddle on the Winnipesaukee River in Tilton, Northfield and Franklin, New Hampshire. Novice and intermediate boaters paddled the Upper Winnipesaukee river and expert boaters paddled the Lower Winnipesaukee river. Paddlers had class III and IV rapids.

This is a really cool video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWW8Y...eature=related

and

http://youtu.be/7tdPdbpI3js

<IFRAME height=315 src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7tdPdbpI3js" frameBorder=0 width=420 allowfullscreen></IFRAME>

There is group of hearty souls that "take the plunge" off Long Beach in Lake Shore Park every New Years Day. They have been doing it for many years.

It's not a public event, as LSP is a members only club.

I don't have any pictures, but from what I understand, the waters damn cold!

From the Citizen
http://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townn...review-300.jpg
A wet and wild river run

A KAYAKER negotiates his way along a stretch of the Winnipesaukee River during the 31st Annual Winnipesaukee River Run, which took place New Year's Day.

Quote:

FRANKLIN — Spectators crowded the bridge at the base of Willow Hill on Sunday to watch dozens of kayakers test their skills against a stretch of Class 4 whitewater, as they celebrated the 31st Annual Winnipesaukee River Run.
Local Ron Noyes, an avid kayaker in his day, was among the throngs that turned out to enjoy weather in the 50s and watch members of the Merrimack Valley Paddlers and Friends of the Winnipesaukee River maneuver the rapids.
“You don’t want to be paddling that unless you can do the Eskimo roll,” Noyes said, as he watched bobbing kayaks skillfully steer around the piers of the railroad trestle that spans the Winnipesaukee River alongside Central Street, despite the rushing water.
Jeff Swett of Goffstown, President of the Merrimack Valley Paddlers said the club hosts regular pool sessions to hone the self-rescue skills of its membership.
“We try to be responsible about it but still have fun,” he said.
On Sunday, Joe Wild of Nashua, a software engineer, said the water was a little higher than he was used to, causing him to capsize.
“I’m lucky to have friends who pulled me out,” he said, while standing on dry land in Trestle View Park, where volunteers had pitched a heated tent to allow paddlers to warm up.
Wild said he was attracted to the sport after going on a rafting trip and observing kayakers.
“It looked like they were having more fun,” he said. He likened the sport to skiing on water.
“The rivers are beautiful, and you can be more isolated than on a ski hill,” he said.
Lydia Carlton of Candia, a pharmacist, said she started paddling eight years ago, after her husband, Tim, a mechanical engineer for General Electric, bought her a kayak.
“There is nothing like the perspective you get from the river. You can hike it, but it’s different. The solitude, peace and quiet is very enjoyable and I like the aspect of it that you can go where you want,” she said.
Swett, who is in customer service for Blue Cross/Blue Shield, recounted that he picked up the sport in college, but dropped it. About 10 years ago he resumed kayaking, and said he enjoys the challenge as well as the special camaraderie among paddlers.
He said he goes downhill skiing with his wife and she, in turn, lets him go kayaking.
“It’s a similar sport, but with kayaking, you don’t have to pay $80 a day for a ticket,” he said. Sunday marked the fifth or sixth time Swett has participated in the New Year’s Day river run, explaining the only time he’s recently missed the event is when he was serving in Iraq with the New Hampshire National Guard.
Spectators gathered to secure a prime viewing spot at several locations, including at Tilton Island Park, along the Winnipesaukee River Trail, at Trestle View Park and at the bridge on Cross Mill Road on the Franklin/Northfield town line. Many onlookers brought cameras to photograph the action, while others took advantage of the balmy temperatures to enjoy a family outing.