Polar Plunge to Feature 74-Year-Old Rookie if He Gets the Pledges

Craig Bakay | Jan 18, 2017

One of the more popular events in the annual Frontenac Heritage Festival (Feb. 17 – 20 this year, the Festival’s 11th year) has been the Polar Plunge. You know, it’s the event where brave souls jump into Sharbot Lake down at the marina to raise funds for local organizations and charities.

Individuals have their own motivations for participating in what some call lunacy, be it altruism, a lost bet, or even a candidate for a federal government seat.

This year, Ray Fletcher will be completing his 73rd trip around the sun (“I’m turning 74 for the arithmetically challenged”) and contemplated taking the plunge himself.

Originally, his musings were more of a quixotic notion, with the caveat that pledges (which would go to Connections: Adult Learning and Community Living) would have to reach $3,000 before he’d get wet. But, the best laid plans and all that . . .

Fletcher was recently named President of the Board of Directors of Connections: Adult Learning in Sharbot Lake and now feels somewhat more obligated to immerse himself in frigid water.

“As president, fundraising is something I’m somewhat responsible for,” he said.

Fletcher maintains that the $3,000 goal is still in effect, but he’s sounding more and more like it’s a go.

“I plan to wear my 150th Anniversary shirt,” he said. “But it’s just going to be an in-and-out job.

“I’ll be coming out of that water like a Polaris missile launched from a submarine (and) I poor pity anybody’s grandmother who gets in the way of me and the heater.”

He’s even made up a little poem for inspiration:

“Here I stand, about to leap
“I know I’d rather be asleep
“If I should die in this frigid lake
“I’ll see you at my friggin’ wake.”

Actually, he’s not all that worried. When he ran into a doctor friend who suggested that the shock of jumping into a frozen lake might not be the best thing for his heart, Fletcher replied: “heart attack? My heart is the only part of me that’s untainted.”

The Polar Plunge (then called the Polar Bear Plunge) first became part of the Festival in 2011. It’s been canceled and rescheduled because of brutal cold but to date, there have been no incidents.

The Central Frontenac Fire Department is in the water to assist plungers and there is medical help available on site.

The Plunge is set for Feb. 19 this year at the Sharbot Lake Marina on Cannon Road, weather permitting.