Spring Dip: Human icicles form in LSC pond

5/1/08

By Matt Vercillo
Critic Staff

There isn’t anything much more enjoyable than going for a swim on a sunny May afternoon. Unless of course, its 40 degrees outside. This year’s Spring Dip was faced with this very twist of fate on Thursday, May 1st when over a dozen members of the community gathered to face the frigid waters.

Spring Dip, now in its second year, is an annual fundraiser held by the Faculty-Staff Scholarship committee. The event was conceived as both a wacky way to shake the winter blues, and also as a creative fundraiser benefiting student scholarships through the Faculty/Staff Scholarship Endowment Fund.

Registration was 10 dollars per person, which was donated. Entrants all received a coupon for a free iced coffee, although most everybody seemed to need a hot cup on that day. A veil of clouds formed and was diffusing what little warmth could have been offered, but the show went on.

Things started at 12:30 without delay, and the 13 registered participants lined up outside along the edge of the water. They all rushed in at once, and a 14th member ran in at the last second to join the festivities.

Granted, the event was purposefully designed to offer the dippers with a brisk experience. However, it was particularly cold for the first day in May. All of the dippers should be given a pat on the back for risking pneumonia in the name of student scholarships.

LSC legend, Harry Swett was one of the participants in the Spring Dip. “It’s a good cause...damn that water’s cold!” he said, as he stood hunched and shivering after his brief flirtation with the icy pond-water. Harry’s enthusiasm was also emanating from his bright pink wig and oversized, Seuss-inspired top hat. “It’s good to have spirit.”




Given the conditions outside, none of the swimmers seemed particularly intent on spending any extra time enjoying a swim. It was in and out for everyone.

The event was over as fast as it began. After all was said and done, the event was a relative success despite the opposition of the weather. Given the number of entrants, there was a stout 130 dollars raised toward scholarships, which should provide one lucky student with the cost of a fraction of one credit here at LSC.

As the crowd dispersed and the swimmers dried off, it was hard not to notice the sun beginning to peek out.