This year, SFU Engineering raised over $1600 for the Variety Club, and though this amount didn't beat last year's record, the event as a whole was every bit as vivacious.

The Polar Plunge started out with a new kick-off event this year: instead of the usual Pre-Plunge Pizza and Pop night, there was a lively Pre-Plunge Bash the week before, courtesy of the Big Bam Boo Club. The music was good, the drinks (included with the ticket) were really good, and even the MC in the red crocheted crop top (or him picking on Mike Park) couldn't ruin the night! By 11:30pm, many decided they'd had enough fun to last a long time, while some of us hard-core party people (what? engineers?!? no way!!) were there until the very end.

Following the Bash was a series of logistical obstacles (some minor, some not; but all obstacles nonetheless) to get donation booths out in the ASB and WMX, to use Reflections Pond... A lot of red tape you'd rather not have to think about! But there was a great sense of satisfaction when they were overcome in the end (by following proper procedures, of course, not by bypassing them!).

A terrific parade, led by Kelly Fennig and Brendon Wilson, started the actual Plunge event off: around the AQ, out to the Convocation Mall, back through the AQ and a charge out to the Pond. The Engineering Song was heard loud and clear!

The Reflections Pond water was really cold, despite the absence of a thick layer of ice. Many students and faculty came out to cheer on the dunkees, while MC Scott Logie (aka Slogie) evoked laughter from the crowds.

All in all, the Polar Plunge was a success. I have a lot of people to thank: Kelly Fennig, Mat Gierc, Mike Hutchison, Kiyoshi Kuroiwa, Scott Logie, Cheryl McDonald, Nakul Verma, Tom Weir, Brendon Wilson and all the volunteers that helped man booths and do other miscellaneous tasks. Special thanks go to the engineering students and faculty members that volunteered to go for a swim, and to SFSS president Joey Hanson for coming out and supporting this event!

The Polar Plunge is for a great cause and is a tradition of which we should all be proud. No doubt, this is an event that will be around for many years to come, even if in the form of blue stamping ink...