Cutline: File photo
ESTEVAN - The preparations are coming together for the inaugural Energy City Dash and Splash – a fundraiser for Fresh Air Fitness that will happen on March 12 at the Woodlawn Regional Park’s Boundary Dam site.
Organizers Debby Knight and Peggy Rohatyn, who co-founded the Fresh Air Fitness outdoor exercise facility at Woodlawn Regional Park, say they have about 30-40 registrants already, and they’re hoping for at least 50.
“There are some who say they are going to (sign up), but they haven’t actually committed just yet. I think they are watching the weather, to be honest,” Knight said with a laugh.
The event is expected to occur regardless of weather conditions. With so many things upcoming in the community, they believe it would be difficult to reschedule the event and having a similar number of participants.
“If it was dangerously cold I guess we would (reschedule),” said Rohatyn.
The Dash and Splash will open at 1 p.m. with the dash at the Boundary Dam Recreation Site with a non-competitive run or walk. People can go as far as they want, and the different distances will be marked accordingly.
“It will be long enough to warm your body up and build your courage up to come back to the beach and run into the water and back out,” said Knight.
The polar bear swim itself, known as the Dam Cold Dip, will see people charge into the water for a brief swim in the dam. At about 1:10 p.m., those who aren’t in the run or walk will make their way into the water.
You don’t have to be in the run-walk to be part of the Dam Cold Dip.
“Of course, the runners will be staggering when they go in. They’ll just be going in after they get back,” Rohatyn said.
Registration is required for participants. Rohatyn and Knight are asking people to pre-register, so that they have enough kits for everybody. Those kits include a towel, socks and more.
DJ Kevin Perkins will be playing music. There will also be fire pits and hot chocolate and marshmallows courtesy of the Southern Plains Co-op. A heated trailer will be on-site for people to warm up, change into some dry clothes and talk about their experience after the swim.
At this time, they have more people signed up for both the run and the swim, than just the dip.
Knight and Rohatyn hope that people will come down and witness this inaugural event.
Rohatyn tried a polar bear swim for the first time last year when former Saskatchewanderer Ashlyn George came to the Energy City for a few days. Knight hasn’t tried one before.
“I enjoyed it. It was good. I was the first one back out of the water, but once I got out of the water, I was surprised at how warm the air was,” said Rohatyn.
The other people who were part of the polar bear swim last year shared similar thoughts, Rohatyn said.
Knight was there last year, and had a stockpile of blankets for everyone because she thought they might be needed.
The dam is ready for the swim. The parking lot at Boundary Dam will be cleaned that day. They have heard there is snow on the beach, but they will figure out a solution.
“There’s open water all year, and that’s unique to Estevan, so why not go in it?” said Rohatyn.
They encourage people to wear shoes into the water, and to change footwear afterwards. And they caution people not to venture too far into the water.
“If you’re up to your waist, then duck down, get wet and then come out. We don’t want them to go in too far because of the drop-downs out there,” said Knight.
