Hundreds plunge into the new year

SANDPOINT — Some dipped a toe in, shivering before cautiously, slowly walking into the freezing waters of Lake Pend Oreille.

Others ran charging down the sands of City Beach into the water before diving into the chilly lake to the applause of the large crowd gathered to watch.

Some even wore costumes.

It's tradition, said some of why they take part in the event. Others said it was a family bonding experience, with everyone from the very youngest members of the clan to the very oldest, holding hands as they ran cheering into the lake.

Abi Buckius, jumping for her second year, wasn't too sure at first but eventually after standing in the frigid water for about a minute, and with the crowd's encouragement, ran into the lake.

After quickly ducking her head into the water, Buckius said she was glad to be done, her teeth chattering in the cold. She then ran to the warming tent to shake off the worst of the cold.

Phil Voelz, troop scoutmaster, said he thinks the success of the event this year has to do with people looking for fun, community events to take part in. There seems to be a desire for activities that connect, he added.

"Maybe everybody's just looking for more community and stuff," Voelz said. "Because this is pretty cool. You see all kinds of people out here that probably wouldn't hang out together; just different, different stuff and different people in different groups just all coming out to have fun."

Voelz, and assistant scoutmaster Carl Brenner, said they would love to see even more people turn out for the event, which is held in partnership with the city of Sandpoint.

They'd even like to see challenges start, with Voelz issuing a challenge to the local police, fire, and first responders to take part in next year's plunge.

"That will show that they are involved in the public, not just in ways of pulling people over and stuff," Voelz said. "Make themselves known in an off-duty kind of fashion."

In total, more than 450 people took part in the annual event — the 10th year that the Polar Bear Plunge has been organized by Boy Scout Troop 111.

However, it's likely higher because as they were packing up, a large crowd showed up at City Beach to take part in the plunge, troop officials said.

The number easily topped the previous record of 185 — achieved just last year — troop officials said.

While it has grown since the plunge was a scout-only event, troop members and leaders said they are excited to see it becoming as much of a community tradition as a troop tradition.

As the community saw the scouts, they asked if they could join them in the plunge. After a few years of unofficially hosting the plunge, the troop made it official, getting permits and permission from both the city and the district council.

"It wasn't necessarily kosher, maybe at first, [for us to hold the plunge]," Voelz said.

That isn't the case anymore as a district council board member even took part in the plunge this year, he added.

The scouts’ adoption of the Polar Bear Plunge began in roughly 2015 after Voelz regaled troop members with stories of how he would waterski on New Year’s Day in California. Since it’s too cold to waterski in North Idaho on Jan. 1, the scouts decide to adopt the traditional jump in the lake.

"This is a great way to start the year," Voelz said, looking around the crowd from one of the boat launches. "Just a lot of fun."

    A pair of youngsters react to the cold waters of Lake Pend Oreille during Monday's 2024 Polar Bear Plunge. The annual event is held on New Year's Day by Boy Scout Troop 111.
  

    Members of Boy Scout Troop 111 race into the freezing waters of Lake Pend Oreille during Monday's Polar Bear Plunge. The troop host the event in partnership with the city of Sandpoint on New Year's Day.