Earliest dip?

[Peter]

As thoughts of summer start entering our heads with warmer weather, I was wondering what the earliest time of year was that someone has jumped in for their first swim of the season?

Mine was Memorial Day weekend a few years back!

[bilproject]

April 23rd 2 days before ice out in 2006. Coldddddddddddddd. Long story but had to go in! North end of the lake was clear of Ice. Also was the first year of a new boat and took 2 long rides 2 days before ice out Temps were in the low 80's that weekend. Went home the day ice out was declared.

[SteveA]

There has been a bunch of folks that have traditionally took a dip on News Years Day on Long Beach at LSP for years. :eek:

I think I have some pics somewhere... I'll look for them.

[Winnipesaukee Divers]

With or without my wetsuit? Does "Ice Diving" count?

Now that I'm officially "Old" with a heart condition, there will be no more "Ice Diving", there will be no more "Penguin Plunges" and there will be no more early season dips in the lake. In fact, unless the water temperature is above 70* I won't be in without my wetsuit at all.

My Cardiologist wants me to continue diving, he thinks it's a great sport; however, he has put a lot of restriction on it. It works for me... I've even put more on myself.

In case you were wondering; it’s breathing in super cold air that's the problem. Do you remember me saying in another thread, "water temps below 45* is considered an "Ice Dive"? Because, when the compressed air in the tank is feed through the regulator it can drop as much as 20* and freeze any water vapor that might be in it thereby blocking the regulator. That very cold air drawn directly into the lungs cools the blood feeding the heart triggering the “Hypothermic” reaction, constricting the blood vessels. Any buildup of plaque in these vessels and its instant heart attack.

Still feel like taking that early dip?

[Fishy Cover]

My sons were competitive and taking the first dip each year was one of the big rivalries. Our family rule was that one had to go completely underwater for it to count as a swim. The earliest on record for our family was my youngest on April 7, 1991 when he was 12.

[Grant]

Most years, first weekend in May.

[GsChinadoll]

My husband and nieces went in one year on May 12th and couldn't understand why it was so cold. I told them that 3 weeks ago there was still ice on the lake, of course it's cold. I'm with Winni diver, 70 is good for me!

[meredith weekender]

My boys have been in on New Years Day and also in February around the dock area. For myself it was April 25, 2005 when we launched the boat and realized that we forgot to put the drain plug. Option 1 was to gto back to the ramp and take the boat out. Option 2 was to go in the lake and dive under. Option 2 was the winne and boy was it cold. :eek::eek:

[Loony Singer]

There's a picture of me standing waist-deep in the lake, taken on April 18, 2008. It was an unseasonably warm day...but you can see ice on the lake in the background. 'Course, that's back when I was young and foolish 8>).

[Bear247]

For myself, Memorial Day weekend was the earliest.

[JTA]

Well the first "dip" wasn't actually a dip. One year, on or about April 25th, I fell out of my canoe while helping my neighbor put in his water line.

[tis]

When we were kids it seems like we always got a really hot week the end of April so we always ended up "falling in". We were told not to get wet but once we fell in we got to swim a bit and I mean a LITTLE bit. It was more like a pop in and pop out. It was cold though.

[6meter]

Memorial Day every year. To put the docks in.

[Sandy Island fan]

A couple years ago, I went in the last weekend in April. It was in the 70s, sunny and calm, and it really warms up against the boathouse at Sandy. I figured it wasn't likely to be that warm again that early, so I'd better take the chance. My daughter was living in Alaska then, and when I told her I had gone it, her response was "You're crazy! The water's only 42 degrees!" We aren't sure who is the bigger Winni fanatic - me for going in at 42 degrees, or her for knowing - in Alaska - that it was 42!

[Misty Blue]

Last year, I think that it was January 3rd, I did the "Winni Dip". It is a dive into the Lake for Special Olympics. There were safety personnel all around and they were POed at me for swimming out about 20 yards and then returning to the take off area. 'Made 500 bucks, much of which came from members of this wonderful forum. You would know the folks. Thanks guys.

Also:

At a Parrothead convention on Feb 20th, 2009, on a drunken dare, three of us decided to dive into Buzzards Bay after last bell at the bar. Low tide. Well it was a long run in and a long run out but we pulled it off. I mean literally. The total contribution to Special Olympics for that weekend was about $34,000 of which our stunt added it's bit.

By the way, if you facebook it I'm the only one whith his trunks on!

Misty Blue

[EZ-Pass]

My earliest dip was on Sunday Feb. 13th 1994 early afternoon. It was not done intentionally as I went through while ice fishing. Does that count???:)

[gtxrider]

The ealiest was Memorial Day Weekend, and not just a dip but a swim. A bit brisk :eek:

[RLW]

My grand kids go in every year during their April vacation and ice chunks are floating by. Sun has to be out so they they can lay on the dock and warm up and then in again. As they would say http://i52.tinypic.com/rhpxf7.gif

[Dogberry01]

My son went in this year on Easter for about three seconds.

[Jeanzb1]

My husband has PROMISED that he will be in the lake within one day after we arrive! We're leaving Florida at 4:00 a.m. this Tuesday and should arrive at the lake around dinnertime on Wednesday. That means THIS THURSDAY he will be in the water! YIKES!!!

[Argie's Wife]

Last weekend... we had the Arglets and the dog at Weirs Beach. The dog loves to swim, but it's a little scary to watch (he's a corgi - no legs, all body)...

[trfour]

I did the cold dive putting in our docks for a great number of years here. Has anyone out and about ever heard of an Ice Scream! :) ;) :D
Never abashed ( mind you )!
I love Lake Winnipesaukee and am still here to tell you all about it!!!!
Oh and yes, use your NUM Lock Key!!!! ( if you should choose ). :) :D

Terry
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[SAMIAM]

About July 4th for me !!

[ishoot308]

Last weekend for me! Water temp was 43 degrees. It was a very quick swim!!! :eek:

Dan

[tracker]

Most years, first weekend in May.

My first dip is middle of may.

[Smith Point]

A few years back when I was younger and dumber, my buddy said ill go in if you do (there was still ice on the “pond”) so never backing down on a challenge, on the count of 3 we will jump in together, 1 2 3 I jumped in and he didn’t. sometimes planning the payback is better than trick that inspired it.

[corollaman]

I'm hoping to get the pool open this weekend, if the weather is somewhat decent.

[codeman671]

I spent about an hour in the water today while putting in our jet ski lifts (in a light wet suit). It is still COLD!