Residents take the ‘Plunge’ for Swim Winchester pool fundraiser

The wind almost carried the tent away during registration, and the rain picked up just as swimmers splashed into the water at Shannon Beach on Upper Mystic Lake Sunday, afternoon for the second Swim Winchester Polar Plunge.

Organized by Swim Winchester, the March 22 event at the Mystic Lakes drew participants from across the community, including members from the high school swim teams. The event is part of a longer campaign to build support for an indoor pool in town.

“We were just going to get together every year until we can get that pool,” said Beverly Attunes, a board member and co-director of Winchester Swim.

On Sunday, Chris Crowell and several youngsters used rakes to clear leaves from the water’s edge. Someone arrived with coffee and donuts while others worked the registration table, took photos, or greeted people as they came down the steps to the beach. There were polar bear temporary tattoos and Swim Winchester magnets.

Antunes said last year’s plunge, which was the organization’s first, had around 20 swimmers.

An estimated 20 jumped in this year as well. Some arrived bundled up from head to toe, while others were already in shorts when they hit the beach. They were of all ages, and they ranged from one young woman, who said, “I’ve never done anything like this before,” to veteran plunger Joseph Reid, who said this is the third polar plunge he had been invited to this year.

Eleven-year-old River was ready despite the cold.

“Last year, I won ‘most creative entry’ and ‘first in,’” River said.

That entry was a somersault. River’s goals for this year were to be the first in and stay in the longest.

Kaylee Guo is a 10th grader who competes with the Winchester Swim Team. She said she was not going in the water because it was too cold, but was there to help out. 

Swim Winchester’s Courtney Crowell, hugging her baby Loulou, who was bundled up for the event, gave the countdown and sent the swimmers into the water right around 2 p.m.

Some ran in and dunked right away while others took their time. Most splashed right back to shore afterwards, but a couple hearty souls stayed in the water for a bit.

The push for a pool

The push for a public indoor pool in Winchester is not new. Attunes said Swim Winchester has been working toward the goal for over a decade.

The foundation has already been set, with the pool designed, a location selected, and an early fundraising phase completed. The proposed site is Skillings Field, near Winchester High School, putting it near the center of town and within easy walking distance for students and residents.

Currently, the high school’s boys and girls swim teams practice and compete without a home to call their own. Having a dedicated indoor pool in town would be a significant boost to both programs, giving athletes a consistent place to train, develop, and host meets.

The presence of high school swimmers at the polar plunge was no accident, demonstrating just how much these teams stand to gain with a facility and their determination to push for one.

But the benefits stretch well beyond competitive swimming. Attunes pointed out that a pool would serve residents at every stage of life. Swim lessons, lap swimming, water aerobics, and recreational programs could all find a home under one roof.

“A pool is good for everyone,” explained Attunes. “From young children who don’t know how to swim yet, up through older adults who want exercises and everyone in between.”

Now the focus is on pushing the project over the finish line. For that to happen requires building public support and momentum to make it happen. Events like the polar plunge are designed to keep that conversation going and remind the town that the need is real.

“It is about awareness,” reminds Attunes.

Swim Winchester will be holding more informational and fundraising events throughout the year. The goal is to design, build, and maintain a year-round aquatics center that will be a welcoming place for all in the community.

To learn more about the project, email info@swimwinchester.org or visit swimwinchester.org.

Wendall Waters has over 35 years of experience in publishing. She is a former reporter/editor and covered environmental issues for Wicked Local and Gannett Media. She is one of the co-founders of Gotta Know Medford.

Xiyue Eric Han is a student at Winchester High School. He has been an intern with Winchester News since summer 2025.