Polar Bears Greet New Year

Folks dash out of the chilly waters of Lake Coeur d’Alene Wednesday, January 1, 2014, during the annual Polar Bear Plunge at Sanders Beach. (SR photo: Kathy Plonka)

With the outdoor temperature hovering at 34 degrees, hundreds of people once again kicked off the new year by participating in the Polar Bear Plunge in Coeur d’Alene. When the clock struck noon Wednesday, there were screams and shrieks as the plungers raced across Sanders Beach to jump, or dive, into the chilly winter waters of Lake Coeur d’Alene. For most, it was a quick dip. Others lingered a bit. “It’s a cold-water baptism for the new year,” said Chad Bennett, of Hayden. This marked Bennett’s 19th New Year’s Day plunge. The first-day-of-the-year swim has been taking place in Coeur d’Alene since the late ‘70s/ Maureen Dolan , Coeur d’Alene Press. More here.

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Question: Have you ever taken the Polar Bear plunge?