Last month in Western Australia a fellow snorkeller challenged me to sign up for the polar plunge when I reached the North Pole. She told me I simply had to do it, thus planting the seed in my brain. After all, the ship can’t always offer it due to weather and other restrictions - it was cancelled on our first trip to the Weddell Sea in 2022 - so I figured I might not get another opportunity. 

This was the third time it’s been offered while I’ve been on Le Commandant Charcot and in the past I enjoyed watching others but had absolutely no interest in doing it. I thought they were all stark raving bonkers. This time, however, in the spirit of pushing my boundaries, I decided to get the mandatory ECG before I left to keep my options open. I packed my wetsuit just in case, but most of the other lunatics just wore their bathers (including quite a few bikinis). 

My GP called from Melbourne but refused to endorse me for the plunge due to a very borderline something (nothing to worry about). A cardiac surgeon buddy said don’t do it, friends at home said don’t do it… but I knew my disappointment would be huge if I didn’t give it a shot. And I still had to get my ECG etc past the ship doctor. Luckily for me, he cleared me so I decided to give it a shot. After all, they have a defibrillator on standby… and I discussed how they would keep me alive should my heart object. Talk about being a drama queen! Like several others, I attended the mandatory briefing but still wasn’t sure if I would go through with it. 

I suffered hours of extreme anxiety in the lead up… it was scheduled for 5pm and I spent most of the day in bed trying to calm my nerves. I couldn’t eat lunch such was my stomach churn. Well, I managed a mouthful of cucumber. 

Fifty-six of us did it, from 150 passengers. The crew are also invited to join in and many did. Of the passengers, eight were Aussies - we are a hardy bunch after all.

The ambient temperature was minus 2.2° Celsius and the water a refreshing minus 1.7°.

It’s a huge operation for the marine team to set up but conditions were excellent - no wind, a beautiful sunny day, a good spot near the stern so that the other passengers could spectate from the ship.

We attended a detailed and hilarious briefing, where we were told we could jump in or more delicately step down the ladder. I chose the latter as it was recommended and I really didn’t want to give my body a huge shock (it got enough of one anyway), or get my hair wet. Must save the blow wave at all costs! 

The rewards were amazing. Extreme anxiety was instantly replaced by exhilaration and camaraderie with the other plungers, some of whom were pretty ancient. Good on them I say. And we get a little badge to sew onto our parkas to mark our achievement. 

We all headed to the rooftop outdoor pool to warm up and revel in our excitement, and then I was lucky to enjoy a private jacuzzi on the rear deck thanks to a friend. 

Next time I’m going to do the full jump and may even ditch the wetsuit. And there will be a next time! But the pool at Club Young Street is going to feel a delicious contrast when I slide into 32° water next week.