Have you ever wanted to try cold plunging but hesitated to take the dip? Well, this community group may just help you get in the water while simultaneously connecting with others.
Two Squamish friends, Jeremy Goldberg and Laura Darcy, recently started a cold plunging group that meets every Tuesday at 7 a.m. to dip in the Mamquam River. The group meets at the river access on Mamquam Road near Carson’s Automotive, where they do a short check-in, meditation and then get in the water.
“The idea of the cold plunge community was just this … accessible place where people can come together every single week, exactly as they are, with whatever they were moving through, and just remember that they were a part of something,” said Darcy about the conception of the group.
Cold plunging has become somewhat of a popular pastime in recent years, and there are certainly physical benefits to the activity, such as reducing inflammation and muscle soreness. Additionally, lots of people say it helps them mentally, and some preliminary research studies have shown promising results in that regard.
In Squamish, no less, it has become a New Year tradition for some to hop into cold water as a fresh start.
One of the ways this group gathering helps is simply by immersing in the water with others, which is safer when trying it for the first time. Beyond the safety aspect, though, there’s also just the connection with others that can provide a newfound sense of acceptance.
“Squamish can move pretty fast, so it was just this time to come together once a week and meet someone new and get into nature and build a deeper sense of belonging and community,” Darcy said.
Goldberg wrote in an email to The Squamish Chief how a couple of members of the group have already shared their appreciation and excitement for the group as a place where they can be supported and vulnerable with one another.
“That is my why in the world,” said Darcy, adding that we often think we have to solve our issues on our own.
“If we can be a part of that remembrance that we don't need to, that creates a ripple because then those people leave the river feeling a little bit more hopeful,” she continued.
After the dip, Goldberg and Darcy whip out some coffee provided by RideHub Cafe and people often stick around to hang out. They usually stay connected afterwards through a WhatsApp group chat.
Goldberg and Darcy say they might evolve the group into hikes, dinners and local concerts. But for now, they hope to connect with more people down at the river on Tuesdays.
Get in touch with Darcy through Instagram.com/elle_darcy, if interested in learning more.
