Ski Club Hopes to Double Donations at Jan. 1 Fundraiser

While polar bears plunge into the icy waters come January 1, a select group of water skiers take to the water each New Year’s Day with an altogether different mindset.

“The skier generally tries not to get wet, but it’s usually just not possible” Brian Birsa, Port Indian Ski Club president said of the 35th annual Port Indian Ski Freeze, adding that the stay dry tactic has had mixed results. “If you do it just right, you can stay pretty dry, but most skiers get a dunk in the cold water… That’s part of the excitement and fun of it.”

But, with the day’s contributions helping to fund Montgomery County-based Camp Rainbow Inc.’s week-long overnight summer camping experience for hundreds of deserving county children, getting wet and being cold is worthwhile.

“It’s a lot of fun to watch,” Birsa said. “We expect this to get bigger and bigger every year. We’re in growth mode, and it’s for a great cause.”

For 2015, Birsa said the ski club hopes to generate $3,000 in contributions, which would more than double last year’s donation. The camp, which is located in Lower Salford Township and operates as a nonprofit organization, provides a camping experience to children ages 7 to 16 each summer.

Anyone willing to sign a waiver and make a donation can come out on New Year’s Day and water ski. “Ideally you’ll know how to water ski – it’s not a good time to learn,” Birsa said of participants. Spectators are welcome to cheer on the participants, and often come with noisemakers from the previous night’s festivities.

So what prompted folks to take to water skiing 35 years ago – in the middle of winter?

“It started as a bet in 1979 between some river folks about who was going to start the waterski season earlier,” Birsa said. “You can’t get any earlier than Jan. 1.”

In addition to water skiing, Birsa said the annual event features hot food and drinks, baked goods and music, as well as a fire pit and warming hut for the skiers. “It’s a fun time for spectators and skiers alike, and a great way to start off the New Year along the Schuykill River”.

Participant T-shirts, which say “I survived the 2015 Port Indian Ski Freeze,” will be a new addition this year, according to Birsa.

If you go

The 35th annual Port Indian Ski Freeze will be held from noon to 3 p.m. on Jan. 1 at #18 East Indian Lane, located next to the Norristown Boat Club. The event is free, but donations for Camp Rainbow Inc. are appreciated. For more information on the event, email Brian Birsa at bbirsa@yahoo.com.

For more information, or to donate to Camp Rainbow Inc., visit http://camprainbowinc.com/ and click on the donate button.