2025 Polar Bear Plunge participants make their way out of the water after taking part in the New Year's Day event.
January 2, 2025
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January 2, 2025 1 a.m.
Plungers jump into 2025
Annual event proves fun way to kickstart the new year
In all, 309 people braved the cool temperatures, cloudy skies and scattered snow to jump into Lake Pend Oreille to kick off the new year with a plunge into its freezing waters. Another 300 or so people — warmly dressed in thick winter coats, boots and gloves — cheered from the nearby shoreline of Sandpoint City Beach.