Organise it and "they will come" proved to be true yesterday when about 50 participants arrived at the Lake Hawea boat ramp jetty to take the polar plunge and raise money for the community.
"We thought there was a need to do something outside in the winter and get the community of all ages together and promote the community centre.
It was the first time the Lake Hawea Community Centre Association has held a midwinter swimming event and organiser Ann-Maree Chatterton said she had no idea how many would enter.
Emerging from the 9degC water at the Lake Hawea boat ramp jetty after their polar plunge yesterday to raise money for the Lake Hawea Community Centre Association are (from left) Elizabeth Horrell and Tyner Ryder (obscured), both of Hawea, and Phillipa Horrell, of Sydney. PHOTO: KERRIE WATERWORTH
"We only took registrations on the day and we were surprised to see so many, as we thought it might have been a bit cold."
The water temperature was a chilly 9degC but hot soup and a hot tub awaited on dry land to take the chill out of the bones.
All money raised would go towards maintenance of the community centre and to promote future events, Ms Chatterton said.
