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Health & Fitness

Once is not enough!

Comments about the recent plunge in Stony Point, how to prepare for a plunge, and what you can do to stay as warm as possible if you are going in!

Like so many wonderful things, once is not enough to dive into the frosty fun of a polar plunge!  Not only is it refreshing, it is a great feeling to accomplish something that is challenging!  And when it is for a great cause, it is even heart and body warming.  I want to give a shout out to the  Stony Point Seals who had their plunge this past Superbowl Sunday.  It was certainly a memorable game, presaged by a spirited community event that raised $50,00 for the victims of Hurricane Sandy.  If you have already taken a winter swim there, we want to encourage you to relive the fun in Nyack on March 3!

This is the second time I have been in cold water this winter, so I prepared by taking the hottest shower I could, figuring that I would be cold for quite awhile.  We drove to Stony Point and were immediately struck by the warm hospitality of the "party" that contrasted with the chill in the North Rockland air.  The music was great, the Nam Knights and the Blue Knights made a fabulous presence, and we were soon bobbing around in the Hudson with the ice. 

I remembered some tips that really helped handled the water that I want to share with prospective "penguins" whether it is your first time or you are a veteran.  Wear beach shoes on your feet, it helps handle the uneven terrain on the riverbed.  Scream and shout when you go in the water, it helps displace the shock (really!) and hold hands with a friend.  Once you are in the water,( whether you choose to go  under or not-there are no"rules" about that ) keep moving around.  Do not stand still, it will only feel colder.  And once you are done, you can just leave the water.  There is no contest for staying in the longest and nothing to prove.  You accomplished something by taking part however you choose to!  Especially when it is for a charity, being a spectator is also a very important role and no one should go into the water who is uneasy about it or doesn't feel healthy.

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When you get out of the water, change your shoes as much as possible.  I know there must be a scientific reason for that, and it just really works.  There will be heated tents to change in, and the floor gets really muddy, so you might want to bring a towel or mat to stand on while you change.  After that, there will be some Nyack restaurants that are having Penguin Plunge parties.  O'Malleys is a traditional stop for us, and also Bourbon Street will be having some "penguins" visit.

We are still looking for people to help sell raffle tickets!  We do think these are amazing prizes. If you have any ideas, just let us know and we will follow up.

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