Jayson and Jacquelyn Stonehocker started their tradition of a “polar plunge” on a whim.
“We had a pool in our backyard,” said Jayson Stonehocker. “And we had a whole bunch of friends and family over and just decided, “Hey let’s jump in the pool.”
That was in Tucson, Ariz., before Jayson Stonehocker had left the Air Force.
“It was definitely cold,” said Stonehocker. “It’s always cold depending on that temperature difference outside. Ever since then, every year we’ve kept it up wherever we’ve gone.”
Since then, the Stonehockers have moved to the Augusta area, where they have now lived for six years, and become a husband-and-wife real estate team, the Stonehocker Group. They’re maintaining their tradition by coordinating the upcoming 2022 Polar Plunge from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 8 at Wildwood Park.
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Also called “polar bear plunges,” these kind of events in which winter swimmers enter a body of water at low temperature are popular around New Year’s Day, and are often part of charity fundraisers.
For the Stonehockers, however, the Polar Plunge is a gathering to foster friendships. Participants jump off the dock together, one time, and then swim a short distance back to the shore, followed by a gathering around a fire to warm up and enjoy drinks, food and hot chocolate.
“It’s kind of our way of starting the new year off with a shock,” said Stonehocker. “Shed the old habits that you’d rather not keep and hopefully stay strong and work on improving yourself throughout the year.”
The area’s anticipated warmer winter weather makes still makes for an intense experience, Stonehocker notes, but does not damper the event. He recalls one year when the outdoor temperature was about 58 or 60 degrees, but the water was surprisingly cold.
“It’s not like when you’re going to a frozen lake, cutting it open and jumping in there,” he said. “But even still, it’s a shock to the body.”
When the Stonehockers first brought their winter custom to the CSRA, they only invited family and friends to join them. After that, they began inviting more friends, and even clients to jump in with them. Gradually the event grew more public, and this year, with an event page on Facebook, anyone who would like to enjoy the experience is invited.
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The first year, Stonehocker said, only 10 to 15 people attended, whereas last year at least 60 people showed up.
The event is free, but those interested are urged to contact the Stonehockers to secure their spots so that they can make an accurate headcount and prepare enough enough food and drinks for everyone.
To accommodate those whose swimming skills are not as advanced, Stonehocker says that there is an area where people can walk into the shore, on the short side, even though the area where participants will be jumping in would be eight to 10 feet deep. He also warns, however, that going into the cold water slowly is a little more painful than the sudden dive.
Regardless, Stonehocker encourages the public to “go ahead and have fun, enjoy the time and experience something new that perhaps they haven’t done before.”
Contact Jayson Stonehocker at (706) 726-0888 or jayson.stonehocker@gmail.com for more information.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering Columbia County with The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
