It was the year of the cold plunge on the Coast. Scrolling social media, everyone and their dogs all the way up and down the Coast were setting the tone for the new year by taking the plunge. I heard of several community organized cold plunges in Halfmoon Bay alone and even participated. This isn’t entirely new for me, but I hadn’t been in the ocean since early September, so it took some convincing. I spoke to two avid cold plungers, Ash Hiebert, my previously mentioned part mermaid neighbour, and Secret Cove resident John Preissl about their relationships to the phenomenon.
John Preissl organized the 5th annual “Secret Cove Orca Plunge,” which had a fantastic turnout. Considering their first year only had two participants, the event has caught on with ever increasing turnouts. John tells me that Cold Water Ceremony Plunging has been big for Coast Salish Indigenous Peoples for hundreds of years so it’s nothing new for our shores. He started about 20 years ago while dealing with chronic back issues, he found it helped his pain and overall health and immunity. Regardless of any purported health outcomes, he says no one can deny the camaraderie of cold plunging is good for the soul.
My neighbour Ash is a newer resident, having been on the Coast for a year now but most days I think she is doing this whole Coast thing better than most. Someone who once dreamed of living by the ocean, she has gone swimming in the bay every day since June. The ocean is her happy place and being literally submerged in it helps her not take her surroundings for granted. She tells me the best part of the process has been meeting all her neighbours. The daily ritual has allowed her to meet people who often stop her to ask her how the water is, an easy entry to conversation.
I can also credit Ash for offering up some tips for safer plunging. Wear water shoes and a toque, know the conditions before you enter and use a buddy system (even if they aren’t getting in). If you have cardiac or other health concerns, definitely check in with your doctor ahead. Happy plunging!
As far as my intentions for this space this year, don’t worry I am normal and can be trusted with a weekly column. I’m most excited about the opportunity to meet more neighbours and dive even deeper into our collective Halfmoon Bay experience. I am interested in speaking to more community organizers and volunteers, it wasn’t until I started volunteering that I realized how much is made possible solely by volunteer efforts. Love walking the beautifully maintained local trails? Volunteers did that. Enjoy the local fair? Volunteers run that. Events at the school? Yup, volunteer committees. Fire department attended your emergency? Highly trained volunteers. There are many more examples I am missing here but I am so grateful to those willing to contribute their time to make Halfmoon Bay such a fun, beautiful and safe space to live. I encourage everyone who has the privilege of time to investigate opportunities to volunteer this year.
Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] if you have any upcoming events to be featured or want to connect about all things happening in Halfmoon Bay. Kyla Trethewey, columnist and Halfmoon Bay Firefighter #36.
