Joel Garnett of Discovery Bay gets air during his run at the 44th Annual Frozen Bun Run on Bethel Island, Calif., at the Rusty Porthole on Jan. 1 2024. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)
Skiers braving the cold water of Franks Tract on New Year’s Day provided all of the fun and entertainment needed for spectators to start 2024.
The 44th Annual Frozen Bun Run at the Rusty Porthole on Bethel Island brought many first timers willing to brave the 53.5º water including Angel Ruiz who has lived on Bethel Island for eight years.
Angel Ruiz gets some help with his vest from friend, Joey Hiscox and Rusty Porthole owner, Robert Brunham. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)
Ruiz who doesn’t ski cold water, wanted to make his island residency official and did so in a Christmas onesie staying on top of the water for his entire run.
Warm temperatures, out of the water, brought more attendees and skiers then last year’s post Covid return of the event.
Spectators cheer on a skier. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)
Dave Ducheney of Discovery Bay loaded up on Frozen Bun Run merchandise before the runs started and has kept up the tradition of attending for probably 20 years.
(R-L) Shelly Bishop and Carol De La Mater assist Dave Ducheney of Discovery Bay with his 44th Annual Frozen Bun Run clothing memorabilia purchase. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)Ski boat driver, Ryan Brunham, pulls Jennifer Pohorski of Bethel Island. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)
“It’s great watching them go in the water, every ride is a good ride.“
Ryan Brunham
Ryan Bruham, whose parents own the Rusty Porthole, has been driving boats since he was 14-years-old and has drivin the past four Frozen Bun Runs.
Jianna Ganem of Discovery Bay reacts to the cold water. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)Jianna Ganem of Discovery Bay gets some air during her run. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)
First participant on the water, Jeff Oliver of Bethel Island, on his run. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)(L-R) in yellow shirts, Rusty Porthole bartenders, Gina Schultz and Georgette Portue work the Bloody Mary booth. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)Kaiden Weiland, 10, of Oakley heads in after his run during. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)Jaylene Ganem, 14, of Discovery Bay, reacts to the cold water. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)Jaylene Ganem, 14, of Discovery Bay, heads to the dock. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)
Attendees chat between runs. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)First time participant, Kari Barnes of Brentwood, during her run. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)Ian Hornberger of Discovery Bay, gets some air. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)Jess Figueroa of Antioch during her run. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)(L-R) Sisters, Tracy and Tiffany Emerson work the hot bar. The sisters have volunteered to work the hot bar for the past 10 years. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)Mikey Fernandez of Rio Vista gets some air. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)
Levi Lyons, 10, gets into his wakeboard before his inaugural run. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)Michelle Garnett, left, videos her son Justin during his run. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)Eric Espil, of Martinez, pulls up to start his run. Espil was the day’s only fully naked adult. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)Aiden Constantineau, 10, of Bethel Island, waits for the ski boat to take him on his run. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)Tyler Fluharty finishes his run on a wakesurfer. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)A couple of men reach to help Tami Clark of Antioch as she works to keep her purse above her head after falling into the water while trying to board a boat. The water temp was about 54 degrees but it did not stop Clark from drying off and sticking around to watch the skiers. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)
Angela Martinez of Antioch heads back to the dock to complete her 28th run. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)Steve Garnett of Discovery Bay, sitting, talks to friend Jim Mattison. Behind Garnett are his two sons that will be skiing and his wife. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)Dominic Frazier of San Francisco makes his run on a hydrofoil. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)Ryder Katharine, 12, of Brentwood, takes a drink of soda during his run. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)Jaylene Ganam, 14, of Discovery Bay, gives a thumbs up to her friend, Summer Snowden, 14, of Discovery Bay. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)Summer Snowden, 14, of Discovery Bay during her run. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)
A volunteer spotter watches for boat traffic. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)Joel Garnett of Discovery Bay heads to the dock. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)Early arrivals get their seats. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)Thomas Weiland of Oakley heads back to the dock with bare buns. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)
