As I went under I could feel a sharp sting all over my body, it was as if my skin and muscles immediately contracted putting pressure on all my organs. I swear time stopped and I had to manually tell my legs to start kicking to the surface or else I would sink all the way to the bottom to dance with the seals. It felt like an eternity before I reached the surfaced and took a gulping breath of air, it stung going in and felt like I was breathing salt water instead of fresh Arctic air around me.
No, I didn’t fall through the ice or get pushed in by a polar bear. even WORSE!!! I jumped in voluntarily!
The crew of SV Salty are now a part of the Arctic/ Polar Plunge club. Only highly intelligent, good looking people are initiated in this manner. FYI. The water was a chilly 40F and all soft bits did shrink to 1/10th their size.
By the time I made it to the swim ladder (all of 6′ away) I didn’t know if I could make it up. My whole body was shaking and I was still gasping for air. No matter how fast I breathed it felt like my lungs were rejecting the precious oxygen I was sending their way. All I could think is that if I don’t make it up the swim ladder I might just die. It’s safe to say I made it up the ladder and crawled on deck with all sorts of obscenities escaping loudly from my mouth.
I thought that as soon as I got out I would have to run inside and cover myself in blankets but it took only about 20 seconds for the shaking to stop and suddenly a wave of warmth passed through me. I probably could have stood on deck for cocktail hour, but I couldn’t find any of my swim suits – I packed them away, honestly who goes swimming in the Arctic?- and I doubt everyone wanted to watch me stand around in my hot pink Bonds bra, plus I had 30 days of growth on my legs.. eww! That in itself may have saved me from hypothermia.
A shot of whiskey was had by all to celebrate then BAM back into routine. I went straight into cooking dinner and Carl cleaning boat like today was any other day. Well these days today was really any other day.
7844N, 7244W, a dip in the water, a dance on the ice and a decent amount of canned pork.
SV Salty reporting that the Arctic is still a cool place to be.
Stephens says
Glad you made it up the ladder. It’s a balmy 95 here. Hugs to all.
Mike says
I find your wit and prose familiar and at time quite hilarious. Thank you for sharing your experiences as you have them and making me simultaneously want to run away shrieking and dare I say -jump right in… You are a clever girl.
Tess says
Please resist from jumping into icy water Carly someone with a weak heart could have a heart attack! Your mum sent me all the news I’ve missed out on. Keep on keeping on!!! Tess