Lava has 'Polar Bear' race

LAVA HOT SPRINGS (AP)— Cody Steffler said he knew Whalen Rife and his kayak were going to be tough competition during the first-ever Polar Bear Float Saturday, but he still thought he had a good chance to win.

The event was part of the Fire and Ice Winter Festival in Lava Hot Springs.

Steffler, 19, and his friend, Dustin Woodyard, both of Lava Hot Springs, said they float the Portneuf River almost daily during the summer. They opted for wet suits and float tubes during the first-ever event.

Crowds lined the banks of the Portneuf as Rife, an experienced kayaker, blew past the competition and won the race is just over one minute. Rife said the run down the frigid Portneuf River was pretty simple.

He voluntarily split his $100 prize with Woodyard, who came in a not-so- close second.

Motivational speaker and part-time Lava Hot Springs resident Robert Paisola, of Salt Lake City, Utah, took the quarter-of-mile float trip on an oversized float tube.

Written on his bare chest in a fashionable shade of pink lipstick was the words, “I love Lava,” along with the address of his Web site where he planned to post photos of his adventure.

“Last week I was in the Caribbean and it was 90 degrees — this week it’s the Polar Bear Float,” he said. “When the hypothermia sets in my body will just take over.”

Paisola finished the race, but couldn’t beat Rife.

Darin Poulter, of Big Piney, Wyo., decided to enter the race at the last minute and hustled to find a flotation device.

“I’m looking for something that will hopefully set about 4 inches above the water — it’s not going to be pretty,” he said.

Following the race, a red and cold Poulter said, “It wasn’t bad.”

The race’s youngest competitor, Zen Rheese, 11, came from Centerville, Utah to compete in Saturday’s event. He maneuvered the river in a one man dragon-shaped raft.

“This kids a Polar bear wanna-be,” said his mother Linda Rheese. 

Unfortunately, Zen’s raft capsized early on, but he managed to get out of the river safely. The 11-year old also competed in the Chili Cook-off later, but he refused to disclose the secret ingredients in his two spice bags.

“One goes in at the beginning and the other when it’s almost done,” Zen Rheese said.

Lava Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce President Nathleen Rife said the winter festival was a huge success and sure to become an annual attraction.

“The excitement over this event has been incredible,” she said. “And the support from local businesses was phenomenal.”

The Fire and Ice Winter Festival kicked off Friday with an evening of wine tasting sponsored by the Riverside Inn. More than 90 people to turned out to sample the selection of Idaho wines, Rife said.

Saturday the festival continued with a Barista contest at Aura Soma Lava.

Owners Evalee and Bob Rush said it was standing room only inside their shop where Nathan Johnson, a Barista at the College Market in Pocatello, claimed the $100 prize, along with an over night stay at the Lava Hot Springs spa.

“Everyone is telling us that they’ll be back,” said Evalee Rush.

The Chili Cook-off, sponsored by the Chuck Wagon and Johnny’s restaurants drew 20 contestants.

Organizer Uni Salim said local hotel and motel guests judged the many varieties offered during the cook-off.

“We have people from all over,” Salim said. 

Chili varieties, which were required to be homemade, included vegetarian fare, as well as bourbon and turkey chili.

The festival concluded with Casino Night at the Lava Community Center.

Lava Foundation Board member Irene Bergendorf said the event’s success ensures it will become a Southeast Idaho tradition.

Dennis Barela and Brent Ingersoll, both from Salt Lake City, said they’re regulars at the Southeast Idaho resort town, but it was the winter festival that brought them Saturday.

“I hope it becomes a regular tradition that we come down for every year,” Barela said.

Debbie Bryce is the regional reporter for the Journal. She can be reached at 239-3132 or by e-mail at dbryce@journalnet.com.

By Debbie Bryce-Journal Writer

This document was originally published online on Sunday, February 04, 2007