Polar bears take on Lake Lanier

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Polar bears take on Lake Lanier

13th annual polar bear plunge at lake lanier

YIKES!!! Wearing matching suits, Blake Foote and Ricardo Lopez from Gainesville, prepare to wade into Lake Lanier during the 13th Annual Polar Bear Swim. The air temperature was a reported 36 degrees and the water a balmy 46 degrees for the event Friday.

With the lake filled to capacity, it was the first time in four years the event was held at the boathouse side of Olympic Venue at Clarks Bridge Park. Brian Green, from Lula, tries a belly flop to make the biggest splash.

Phalynn Powers and David Fleming, from Atlanta, try to stay warm before their jump.

Phalynn Powers seems shocked at just how cold the water is, while David Fleming seems to have come prepared. Is that a wet suit?

It was a day at the beach for: L to R Kate Bush and Bessie Winston, from Gainesville who react to the frigid water.

The Lake Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club started the event with Canadian coach Tony Hall who thought it would be fun to copy the real Canadian Polar Bear Plunge, where people cut a hole in the ice and jump through. L to R, Philip Uys and Will Roszel, from Gainesville, react to the cold after their plunge.

"It was very cold" said one participant. These guys didn't seem to think so: L to R, Ben Lloyd, from Gainesville, Philip Uys, from Gainesville, Chris Masters from Lawrenceville, Coulter Birch from Gainesville, Hayden Griffin, from Lawrenceville.

Brian Sherman and his daughter Jamie plunge into the lake.

Matt Chastain, from Athens, was one of the last to jump, and tries to keep warm after his leap.

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YIKES!!! Wearing matching suits, Blake Foote and Ricardo Lopez from Gainesville, prepare to wade into Lake Lanier during the 13th Annual Polar Bear Swim. The air temperature was a reported 36 degrees and the water a balmy 46 degrees for the event Friday.

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