Home » Bastyr University Launches Winter Quarter with “Splash and Dash!”

Bastyr University Launches Winter Quarter with “Splash and Dash!”

Students, faculty and staff from Bastyr University plunged into Lake Washington at Noon on January 3, 2011 to celebrate the start of Winter Quarter. Photo provided by Bastyr University

More than 20 members of the Bastyr University community launched their winter quarter with a chilly race into the waters of Lake Washington on Monday, January 3rd, for the 13th annual ‘Splash and Dash.’

The annual arctic plunge began as a bold dare between three Bastyr runners more than 12 years ago, and now occurs regardless of snow, sleet, ice, or…reason?

At Noon, on a clear, sunny day, students, faculty and staff gathered on campus before walking or jogging down the frost covered hills of St. Edward State Park.  At the shores of the smooth water, rubber duckies were tossed onto the lake to coax swimmers further out.  Those who retrieved a duck received a prize such as a wool hat or hot tea.  The swim ended with the group emerging from the water, exchanging triumphant hugs and high fives.

For more information on ‘Splash and Dash’, or Bastyr University – or the Bastyr Center for Natural Medicine located in Fremont – check out their websites.