If you want to start the New Year with a jolt that will bring you wide awake, consider participating in an Orcas Tradition: The Polar Bear Plunge.

The event is organized and hosted by the Orcas Island Rowing Club (OIRA), an active junior rowing club. It’s a simple event: Dave Roseberry, the master of ceremonies, will give a shout and the hearty souls of Orcas will charge headlong into Cascade Lake at 11 a.m. on January 1. Within a few seconds they will re-emerge, shocked into a new perspective on the world. Plan to be there early, as the event will start on time. There’s no charge to jump in the lake and free paramedics will be standing by.

Fortunately, there will be congratulations from the local crowd, a hot fire, hot drinks and snacks awaiting, and hopefully you remembered to bring a change of clothes!

The event is a low key fundraiser for the junior rowing club. Donations are accepted at the plunge and commemorative theme t-shirts are sold. The t-shirts will be sold at Island Market after Friday, Dec. 19. This year there are sponsorship forms, which can be downloaded at www.orcasislandrowing.org. Let your friends and family know how brave you are and raise a few bucks for the junior rowing club.

This will be the 12th annual plunge. The first one was on January 1, 1998. That year local sheriff’s deputies Ray Clever, Ed Commet and Herb Crowe were auctioned off and paid to jump in the lake. Since then the event has evolved into a full scale lake-jumping event for all.

This 2009 theme is “Save The Polar Bear.” Since 1999 a commemorative t-shirt has been created. This year’s cool design was created by the girl’s captain Grace Thompson and the boy’s captain Julian Glasser. The design is humorous as always, but highlights the dramatic changes taking place on the earth caused by “global warming.” It depicts a polar bear paddling a shrinking piece of ice barely big enough for him to stand upon. Some historical shirts from past years are also available.

Even if you can’t make yourself “take the plunge,” come and watch the hearty folks who do. It is quite a spectacle!

To reserve or buy shirts call Tina Brown at 376-7677. Calling early will allow her to better estimate demand. For information about the plunge, call Dave Roseberry 376-4733 or check out www.orcasislandrowing.org.