2023 started with a SPLASH!

2023 Polar Bear Plunge & 5K!

The 2023 new year rolled in at Blue HolePark as it has for the past six years.There was a bevy of activity as a crowd gathered just before 10:00a.m., greeting each other in the parking lot nearthe visitors’ center. Anticipation began building while morning stretches were called out anda 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 warmthwas followed by a quick jump in the chilly watersof Cypress Creek for the near-ritual 5K and Polar Bear Plunge at BlueHole.

Richard Shaver was an intern at the departmentwhen the event started as a “hike and plunge.”Now serving as the department’s director, Shaver reflects on whatthe annual affair has become for the community. “It’s one of my favoriteevents of the year. We’ve got people who haveparticipated each time,
making it their personalhabit to kick off the year, and those who are brandnew to town,” shared Shaver. “It started as away to bring off-season awareness for Wimberley Parks and Recreationand our activities in the community. It’s also a‘newcomer friendly’ opportunity for people to invite others to be involved. We’ve got a widerange of involvement from serious competitors to families pushingstrollers through the course”.

Online registrantspaid a $25 fee to receive a custom designed t-shirtwhile others walked up on new year’s morning. Devil Dog Coffee Company brought their truckproviding a different kind of morning jolt thanthe plunge into Cypress Creek and RoughhouseBrewery brought their van, handing out a freepour of their pilsner to participants.“We’re about to celebrate our fourth year in the community and lovepartnering with Blue Hole and our parks andrec group because of all they do in our community for families,” sharedAlex Pasternak, co-owner of Roughhouse Brewing. “This was our second year attending this eventand we appreciate the hard work of the team atBlue Hole and their drive to make each opportunity mutually beneficial forcommunity partners”.

If you missed this year’s plunge or wouldlike to stay up-to-date on the opportunitiesprovided by Wimberley Parks and Rec check out our website, give us a call at (512)660-9111, or email us today!