MAINE, USA. The 12th annual Polar Bear Swim in Calais saw daring dippers plunged into the Passamaquoddy Bay on Friday to help raise money for the Ronald McDonald House in Bangor. More than 150 people, including 30 college students dressed in Peter Pan costumes, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Coast Guard and Immigration and Customs Enforcement employees came out to support the cause and helped raise US$21,000 for the charity.
The Ronald McDonald House of Bangor is a short-term accommodation for families whose children are receiving treatment at nearby medical facilities. Each year, the 14-bedroom House is a home away from home for more than 500 families who must travel far from home for their seriously ill or injured children.
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.