‘PUDDLE JUMPERS’ OPEN THE WATERS TO SKIM 170 FEET ACROSS GULL LAKE YESTERDAY IN POPULAR CARNIVAL EVENT

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — A hundred and 70 feet of open water.

A dozen feet wide.

Your skis on the edge.

And don’t touch the sides.

Or you’re disqualified.

That was finals of the of “puddle jumpers” yesterday on Gull Lake as more than 30 sleds (snowmobiles) stock and modified skimmed across Gull Lake in a return of the sport not seen since before COVID.

And the Gravenhurst Winter Carnival competition drew hundreds of spectators onto several inches of ice surface covering about five-deep of water.

Flat out on Gull Lake as puddle jumping returned to Gull Lake yesterday after breaking for COVID. PHOTOS and video Mark Clairmont MuskokaTODAY.com

That was proven as 10 “polar bears” braved the dip during a brief intermission in races to test the 1-degree temperature water. One fundraiser Rotarian Harold Coffin lasting two minutes standing up frigid cold before climbing out on a ladder provided.

And a dozen snowmobilers who ended up not making the distance were quick to scamper up and out onto the ice while wearing their snowmobile suits.

Luckily for them their organizers were able to grab the mandatory ropes on their machines to an ice tow truck lift the dripping sleds out of the lake onto a trailer that took them to the parking lot to drain off and dry out — some possibly able to come back down for another go at it.

That’s according to race Simon Hartley who explained the competition.

He was among almost three dozen competitors who were happy to be back racing.

Hartley, who did several running starts on his Rotax 670/hp sled from as far back as more than 50 feet, narrowed his final few attempts down to a least a 15-foot start from the open water.

The final few division winners, he said, had their skis on the edge of the ice to begin.

He said the idea is not to have to large an engine so it is lighter. And also not carry too much gas for weight purposes — as well as to ensure that “if you do go down” your racing fuel source isn’t totally contaminated with gas.

As well as not sinking too much fuel goes into the environmentally sensitive lake.

During a break in racing 10 brave souls took turns taking a dip in the 1-degree temperature Gull Lake water.

While there were several hundred watching from a safe distance, maybe half of them left after the polar bear dip was over.

Those there before and after the dip watched as sled hit the water, making huge splashes initially the first 50 feet before eventually planning out and onto the distance end ice and coming out on top.

Hartley said the last two or three riders help decide the winner by going as long and slow as they can while still making distance.

He admitted he didn’t expect to be one of them.

This is the only competition location for the puddle jumpers he knows of this season.

The combined events were among the most widely watched events of the Winter Carnival that are likely to return after their success.

Several hundred people surrounded the puddle as jumpers lined up for their chance to race 170 feet down the open five-foo deep water course.
Simon Hartley was among more than 30 snowmobiler competitors yesterday who loved the “fun” opportunity to get back on his sled and race across the open Gull Lake. He took a few minutes during the polar dip to explain the rules and rationale.
A short distance from the starting line there’s always a spray of water – kind of a wheelie – before they plane out for the final 100 feet of the course before safely reaching the snow top at the end.
For the few that slowed down and into the water it was back up the hill to drain and dry out before another possible attempt.
Family Day Saturday for this cute family meant watching the polar bear dip and puddle jumping for mom and dad Indrit and Gessica Greco and their daughter Matilda.

Sometimes you just can’t get the distance and have to get help with your sled being pulled from the water, like this safe snowmobiler.

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