The 2008 Polar Bear Plunge was a great success for Krav Maga Maryland.  With a team of 64 students, instructors, family, and friends, we managed to raise $12,855 - almost $5,000 more than we raised last year.

The big change for the team this year was the decision to take a chartered bus to the event.  Having the bus allowed us to take the entire team together while at the same time taking part in some serious tailgating fun!  Grilled food, potato salad, and plenty of drinks made the mid-30 degree temperatures much more bearable as we waited for the plunge.

When it came time to storm the beach, Team Krav Maga Maryland did it in spectacular fashion.  Clothed in our Team Krav Maga Maryland shirts, we were by far one of the largest teams represented on the beach.  We kept warm by running drills and doing pushups, and when the signal was heard we rushed headlong into the frigid waters.  The 38 degree water was almost refreshing since it was warmer than the outside air temperature, but you didn't see many team members linger in the water for long.  Most jumped in, jumped out, and then ran to the changing tents to get warm.

The event was not only a great success, but a lot of fun.  Krav Maga Maryland wants to thank everyone that was involved that help make this such a great event.  Special thanks goes to student Donnie Orndorff for helping to plan the bus trip and ensuring that there was plenty to eat and drink.

For more pictures of the plunge, head over to the photo gallery.