An impromptu group developed on board the Plancius.

The group was started by our Chairman and President, an Australian travel blogger. He asked around who would be willing to plunge into the Arctic Ocean and started gathering names, including mine.

He asked our expedition leader about the possibility of a Polar Plunge and we got the green light.

So at the end of our visit to the bird cliffs at Hornsund, at 5 (17:00) the self-chosen few gathered on the rocky beach to begin this Polar right of passage.

Those who have plunged in both the Arctic and Antarctic are known as Bi-Polar Plungers.

A light drizzle stared and the temperature hovered around 34 degrees.

My body and mind said “no” but if Dr. Rock was going in, then so was I. My biggest concern was not the plunge, you had to put your head under to make it official, but undressing and dressing with my multi layers in the wind, rain, and cold. And then there was the Zodiac ride back to the Plancius. The sloped rocky beach didn’t make walking to the water in bare feet any easier.

As I was contemplating the cold waters a Dutch member of our tribe (let’s call her Mary), stripped off, ran towards the water, jumped in, and started doing laps.

Well this was a challenge. Bring it on! I divested myself of four layers and hobbled down the pebble beach to the Arctic waters.

Up to the ankle it wasn’t so bad but I wasn’t sure if I could feel my toes. I turned to the crowds on the beach and Christlike, fell backwards for the full immersion.

I’m not sure if I really did a lap but it was more a splashing Polar paddle and before I knew it I was hobbling up the rocky beach to my now damp towel.

After the plunge, Dr. Jon (Ship’s Doctor), gave me a certificate that reads:

This is to certify that

Corvidsketcher

Defied death by surviving a swim in the frigid Arctic waters in Hornsund, Svalbard

This twenty fifth day of June, 2024

Witnessed and certified as still living by

Dr. Jon

Ship’s Doctor

MV Plancius

Footnote: Dr. Jon also joined us as a member of the Polar Plungers!

I self-elected myself with the task of designing the Polar Pluggers logo. I thought the walrus would be a good mascot for the group, albeit an icy blue one!