Arctic Water Sports: Day 5 Part 2

6/21/2012 Thursday

Arctic Kayaking

Katherine taking a picture of the scenery.

 I partnered with Katherine, one of our young explorers on board, to kayak the Arctic Ocean.  We were in Fakesevagen (Fakse Bay).  As we enjoyed the calm, sunny day, a zodiac outfitted as a Viking ship came over to deliver hot chocolate and ginger cookies.  Very cute.  Katherine’s mom and brother were in another kayak so we raced them from one mini bergy-bit  to another and back.  We won!

Polar Plunge

The Viking Ship coming with hot cocoa.

After returning from kayaking, guests were invited to become a member of the polar bear club and do the polar plunge.  As you may have guessed, this involves jumping into the Arctic Ocean and surviving.  The staff used the platform set-up for launching the kayaks as the stage for the plunge.  Crazy people jumped or dove off of the edge of a zodiac and were immediately helped back up on to the platform out of the cold and into a towel.  I was one of those crazy people.  I still cannot believe I did this.  It was shockingly cold.  I could not wait to get out.  But once I was out and back on the ship, it felt exhilarating.  I don’t believe I will ever do it again, but I am glad I didn’t wimp out of it.  I can thank fellow teacher, Katie Hoeckzema, for the extra push I needed to do it.  I am now a polar bear--here is the evidence that I did it!