Get ready to polar plunge ... and get out fast!

COEUR d'ALENE - The Polar Bear Plunge is once again set for its traditional time and place, noon on New Year's Day at Sanders Beach.

About 500 people are expected to run into the lake, dive under, and run back out even faster.

The first unofficial Polar Bear Plunge occurred Nov. 21, 1978.

The forecast for this year's plunge on Sunday calls for cloudy skies, with temperatures in the 20s or low 30s. That's better than last year's single digits.

The temperature of Lake Coeur d'Alene will be about 35 degrees Saturday.

There shouldn't be any snow to worry about, as it's expected to rain today and be dry through the weekend.

For those who want to be a Polar Bear Plunger, bring:

* towels for drying off and for standing on.

* Wear sandals, aqua socks, old tennis shoes. Running in barefoot can be painful.

* coffee or hot chocolate is good.

* support crew to help you get back into dry clothes and encourage you in case you change your mind in the final minutes.

Some free advice: Don't stay in the water too long. Get in, get out, dry off. If you're feeling fine, some double dip.

Be sure to arrive early, about 30 minutes or so. There will be plenty of traffic and parking can be difficult to find. You should expect to walk several blocks to get to the plunge on the west end of Sanders Beach.