Plunging into the new year
The 2023 new year rolled in at Blue Hole Park and Recreation Area as it has for the past six years.
There was a bevy of activity as a crowd gathered just before 10:00 a.m., greeting each other in the parking lot near the visitors’ center. Anticipation began building while morning stretches were called out and a few jokes and smiles were shared. The countdown began as participants moved into place and last second photos were snapped for families and loved ones. Then the start of a brisk run in the morning warmth was followed by a quick jump in the chilly waters of Cypress Creek for the near-ritual 5K and Polar Bear Plunge at Blue Hole.
Richard Shaver was an intern at the department when the event started as a “hike and plunge.” Now serving as the department’s director, Shaver reflects on what the annual affair has become for the community.
“It’s one of my favorite events of the year. We’ve got people who have participated each time, making it their personal habit to kick off the year, and those who are brand new to town,” shared Shaver. “It started as a way to bring off-season awareness for Wimberley parks and recreation and our activities in the community. It’s also a ‘newcomer friendly’ opportunity for people to invite others to be involved. We’ve got a wide range of involvement from serious competitors to families pushing strollers through the course.”
Online registrants paid a $10 fee to receive a custom designed t-shirt while others walked up on new year’s morning. Conditions were sunny and bright with a morning temperature hovering around 60 at the time of the 5K start, not quite as warm as last year’s 75 degrees but still comfortable.
Devil Dog Coffee Company brought their truck providing a different kind of morning jolt than the plunge into Cypress Creek and Roughhouse Brewery brought their van, handing out a free pour of their pilsner to participants.
“We’re about to celebrate our fourth year in the community and love partnering with Blue Hole and our parks and rec group because of all they do in our community for families,” shared Alex Pasternak, co-owner of Roughhouse Brewing. “This was our second year attending this event and we appreciate the hard work of the team at Blue Hole and their drive to make each opportunity mutually beneficial for community partners.”
If you missed this year’s plunge or would like to stay up-to-date on the opportunities provided by Wimberley parks and rec, check out the city of Wimberley website — cityofwimberley. com — then click on the Parks & Recreation button on the site’s homepage.
THE BLUE HOLE 5K AND POLAR BEAR PLUNGE PROVIDED A BRISK START TO 2023. PHOTO BY JOE SMITH.