Several Auburn students decided to disregard the weather and take part in the Polar Plunge on Tuesday Jan. 20 at 4:30 p.m.
At the Polar Plunge, participants jump into the pool at the Recreation and Wellness Center followed by a dip in the newly opened hot tubs.
"Essentially, we were trying to come up with something to kick off the pool season, and since we have a hot tub, we decided to do something in the colder months," said Chad Day, assistant director of aquatics and graduate student in public administration.
With the pool an announced 53 degrees, the students and Aubie jumped in.
Jacqueline Redd, sophomore in business, said she was unfazed by the cold water.
"I thought it would be fun," Redd said. "I'm on the water polo team, so cold water doesn't affect me much."
Siddharth Doogar, graduate student in industrial engineering, had different reasons for joining the plunge.
"First reason is it is for fun ..." Doogar said.
Nathan Pass, sophomore in sociology, and David Tice, sophomore in psychology, said they made it a competition.
"I hadn't been in the water since the summer, and my friend David bet me to do it, and we had a mutual challenge," Pass said.
Tice said he took the plunge twice.
"It was awful, but I jumped twice because Aubie was there, and it's a once in a lifetime experience," Tice said.
Pass said the water was intense.
"It was extremely painful the whole time, but the popsicles and hot tub were worth it," Pass said.
Mark Johnson, senior in mechanical engineering, had a different story.
"It was awesome, lot of fun and refreshing after a workout," Johnson said. "It was so cool to see Auburn Rec so behind it and everyone that turned out."
Jacob Conaway, graduate student in software engineering, echoed Johnson's statement.
"It was awesome," Conway said. "Not as bad as I thought. It turned out great."
The hot tubs at the Wellness Center are now open to the public from 4-8 p.m. every day until March.
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