Residents weather cold temps for fun

Super Bowl Plunge set in 50-degree pool

Advertisement

Tail-gate parties, pizza and face paint in team colors ... It wouldn't be Super Bowl Sunday without traditions.

In Summerlin, more than a dozen residents have a tradition of their own: taking the plunge into the Trails Village Park pool.

The event, officially named the Super Bowl Plunge, took place at 9 a.m. when the air temperature was barely warm. The pool, however, was heated, but only up to 50 degrees.

"Personally, I would put blocks of ice in it to make it feel more like Alaska," joked Siva Chelliah, senior recreational coordinator for the Summerlin Council.

The organizers said they chose that water temperature to keep everyone happy while keeping it fun.

"We had it up to 60 degrees one year and people complained it was too warm," said Brock Wilson, recreational supervisor.

To keep the football theme at the forefront, TV sets were tuned to the sports channel and New York Giants safety Jamal Brimmer, formerly a UNLV and Durango High School football standout, was on hand to greet people and sign autographs.

Also on hand was Gary Hannig, there to rescue anyone who turned into an ice cube halfway across the water.

The lifeguard said he's never had to dive in after anyone in past years but he was prepared to do it, if necessary.

"But first I'd try using the shepherd's hook," he said.

Some people arrived in swimsuits with only a beach towel. They were momentarily shocked to see the artificial icebergs, made of foam, which were added for effect. Others arrived wearing sweats they could peel off at the last minute.

Almost everyone indulged in the Krispy Kreme doughnuts and hot coffee, no doubt expecting to expend the calories in their frantic race across the water.

More than a dozen people were registered for the event. A few other adventurous types joined in at the last minute.

"You'd have to pay me a million dollars to do that," said Ellen Zaletel, a legal assistant there to support her boyfriend, participant Don Soderberg. "I don't do cold."

This was the first time Soderberg, chairman of the public utilities commission, signed up for the plunge. He said he was well aware the pool was not heated to a toasty temperature.

"It doesn't matter what it (the water temperature) is," he said before the event. "I'm going to be cold no matter what. I'm more afraid of getting out than getting in."

A mere 10 minutes before the plunge, the wind kicked up and knocked the wind-chill factor down a few notches.

It also was the first time for Ward Michaelsen, an accountant who lives in the Willows.

"My son talked me into this," he said.

When asked how he was mentally preparing himself for that first shock of cold water, he said he planned to "jump in and just go."

Summerlin residents Carlos and Sylvia Ruiz were there just as spectators. They brought family visiting from California to "see the insane people" who participated.

Then, the moment of truth arrived. The swimmers lined up, the signal was given and everyone took the plunge. Their ordeal began at the 5-foot end and they quickly swam the 25 yards to the far end.

They emerged to shiver in the wind before their towels were tossed over their shoulders.

"It was bad, real bad," said Chase Kicker, 9. "It was cold as ice."

"I thought, 'Why am I doing this?' " said Michael Ortiz, 14, about his mad dash across the pool. "Now I can't feel my toes."

Larry Stephens, at 60 the oldest participant, said he discovered it was a new way to acquire instant brain freeze.

What did they receive for braving the cold water? A Super Bowl T-shirt.

The plunge has been a tradition since 2000.