Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham in Magog Quebec Canada at her first (and not last) polar plunge. So refreshing!
A grey wooden building, with numerous extensions blocking the private back view, greeted us as we arrived in Magog, Quebec for another once-in-a-lifetime experience on my adventure bucket list. The sky was the color of a bluebird, light snow covered the differing-sized pines and birch trees, and a rushing river surrounded the quaint lodge. It was February break and instead of going south to palm trees and warmth, we headed north to our Canadian neighbor.
Dr. Jacob P. Chamberlain, Rory Shamlian, and Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham ready to polar plunge
My brother knew I was interested in polar plunging this winter and instead of freezing to death after plunging, he suggested trying a Nordic Station Spa with a thermal cycle built into one’s experience after the icy river. The Nordic Tradition, as the spa called it, is an ancestral ritual originating from Finland – also known as thermotherapy. In this ritual, a person alternates from hot, cold, and relaxation to reach a euphoric sense of wellness. The hot/cold cycle is repeated three times.
Trying to temper my excitement to jump in the river first to try this new sport-of-sorts of polar plunging, I was instructed to bake in the sauna, then sit in a hot tub, and then cool off in the river or a cooler pool of water. As I sat in the sauna looking out at the frilly branches of a tree with a dazzling display of silver and white specks on top and falling from them, I relaxed a bit knowing the excitement was coming soon. When I was hot enough, I left the hothouse and headed down the outside stairs to the river.
Sure 32-degree water is cold, but I swim in Maine ocean waters, so it wasn’t alarming even though it was 30 degrees cooler. As I dropped my robe uncovered my bathing suit, took off my sandals, walked on the snow, and approached the icy edges of the river, I held onto the rope, dropped down into the current, let out a shrillful glee for 10 seconds, and got back up out of the river bed onto the snow and into my robe exhilarated.
Letting the fun sink in!
Scampering off quickly from the shore with purplish toes, we headed for the hot whirlpool tub. Our bodies warmed and the sun hit our heads. Snow fell lightly from the trees, steam rose above the water and blocked the view of others in the tub, and that euphoric feeling overcame me. Where else would I want to be but here treating myself to both a daring, and relaxing way of Nordic life?
Following the thermal cycle, we went from saunas, into the Russian Banya, Steam Crypt, relaxation rooms, outdoor cool pools, hot tubs, and around again, even dunking into the river two more times, before three hours had gone by and we were ready to return our plush robes and head out for some poutine (another first) at Magog’s Winterfest.