Struggling with mental health and a distaste for cold water, Chanel Clark has brought her New Zealand plunge ritual to Cleveland.
While on mental health leave in New Zealand, Chanel set out to “snap out of her funk” by challenging her deep aversion to cold water.
After sharing her idea on LinkedIn, she discovered that many others also believed the plunge could benefit them.
“Fast forward six months and we were pulling 20 to 30 people every week, running into the ocean together,” Ms Clark said.
After recently moving to Australia, she admitted she was eager to start the plunge but was nervous that no one would join her or that it might be seen as silly.
She reassured herself: “If this helps even one person like it helped me, and it’s just the two of us once a week holding each other accountable, then it would be worth it.”
Thus, the Plunge Posse was born.
Every Wednesday at 7am, the group gathers for a cold plunge at Raby Bay beach, followed by BYO coffee and a chat.
“There’s a group doing this, probably bonding over the fact that we might have a few screws loose,” Ms Clark said.
When asked if more community groups like the Plunge Posse were needed in the Redlands, she heartily agreed.
“I work from home at the moment as a marketing consultant and it gets lonely a lot of the time, so having a sense of community, belonging and purpose is amazing.”
Aside from the social aspects, Ms Clark noted that cold water immersion physically helped reduce inflammation, muscle soreness and stress.
“I think on a personal note too, when you’re struggling with your mental health, and as someone who has, it is really hard to focus on one thing when your world feels so uncomfortable,” she said.
“But when you do this, all you can think about is what you are doing, how you are feeling and how you get through it.”
Jackie Price has been attending the Plunge Posse since its inception three weeks ago and said she loved the chance to meet wonderful people and share lots of laughs.
“I wanted to support Chanel for her bravery in starting this,” she said.
“I adore the sea and nature, and I thought it would be fun.”
Ms Price added that the plunge left her feeling fantastic.
“It’s a great way to start the day, and give it a few weeks and it will be hot,” she noted.
