• Jocelyn Christin of West Linn competes in the giant downhill slalom throughout the winter, so she knows cold.
With that background, she provided a useful measure of water temperature Saturday morning after sprinting out of the Columbia River and yelling, “I’m numb!” Nonetheless, hundreds of others had to find out for themselves at the Special Olympics Polar Plunge, held at Broughton Beach off Northeast Marine Drive. About 550 people collected money for the Special Olympics fundraiser, held in Portland for the first time. Nearly that many dashed into the frigid river, in waves of about 20 people. Participants dashed into the water, staying within a floating line of buoys about 50 feet from shore. Most plungers gladly obeyed the orders to not dive or go into water beyond neck-deep. It was a rare plunger who opted for swimsuit-only attire.
Fluorescent wigs were popular, along with hats of all sorts, snorkels and the occasional superhero outfit. One guy wore a tuxedo. One lady wore a red skirt and a Viking helmet.