Polar Bear Swim draws brave swimmers to Cove pool Posted On: Sunday, Feb. 3 2008 12:35 AM By Victor O'Brien
Killeen Daily Herald

COPPERAS COVE – Temperatures were mild, but a dip in the city pool gave locals goose bumps Saturday.

The city conducted its seventh annual Polar Bear Swim at the Copperas Cove City Park. Close to 30 brave swimmers jumped into the pool's 50-degree water.

Temperatures were in the 60s and 70s, but swimmers said the water was noticeably colder.

At first, Quinn Dunn, 10, was nervous about the cold water. He waited poolside until others took the plunge. After he felt their splash, he was determined to keep himself out of the water. A minute later, he jumped in and swam to the pool's ladder for a quick exit.

"It was really cold. Felt like a cold block of ice," Quinn said.

Several locals made the event a family affair. Nick Prax, 13, of Copperas Cove, has attended the swim for the last four years with his father, George Prax. This year his sister, Ashley Prax, swam, too.

"It was pretty cold. At least we had the sun out," Nick Prax said. "Just got to keep moving."

Three Copperas Cove High School swim team members came for the fun and ended up winning three awards. Sophomore Adam Thompson and junior Tanner Evans won the award for strangest entry after they jumped in wearing swim caps on their heads, inflatable ducks around their waists and safety floats on their arms.

"I can't feel my legs," Thompson said after he leapt from the pool.

CCHS swim team captain Madison Godfrey stayed in for 20 minutes and took home the award for the longest stay in the water.

Joseph Pace, municipal court supervisor, said a bad landing won him the award for the biggest splash.

"I did a flip into the pool, and I landed poorly," he said. "I did it with style and a bad landing."

The winner for the oldest participant was George Niebler, 58, who brought grandsons Devin and Damien Hawkins.

"It felt like you're on a glacier," said Damien Hawkins, 11, who stayed in the water about two minutes before he hopped out.

Towels came in handy for warmth once contestants left the water.

Olivea Nageeullah, 5, was all smiles while relatives wrapped her in a towel after she won the award for the youngest participant.

Contact Victor O'Brien at vobrien@kdhnews.com or call (254) 501-7468