Ready to take an icy plunge?

New Year’s Eve revelry doesn’t end after midnight in Coeur d’Alene. Each year, it continues on New Year’s Day with a couple of local customs that offer unique ways to shake off the old year and kick-start the new one.

POLAR BEAR PLUNGE

Here’s your chance to launch into 2017 with a frigid shock to the system.

Racing into the chilly waters of Lake Coeur d’Alene at noon on New Year’s Day has become an annual tradition.

The Polar Bear Plunge takes place again Sunday at noon at Sanders Beach.

Hundreds of people show up every year to run into the lake, dive under the water, and run back out even faster. The first unofficial Polar Bear Plunge occurred Nov. 21, 1978.

The water temperature generally hovers around 40 degrees each year on Jan. 1.

The National Weather Service is predicting a high air temperature of 24 degrees Sunday in Coeur d’Alene and a good chance of snow.

Tips for plungers

• Bring towels for drying off and for standing on.

• Crazy hats and wigs are stongly encouraged.

• Wear sandals, aqua socks, or old tennis shoes. Running in bare feet can be painful.

• Coffee or hot chocolate is good.

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

• 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.

HANGOVER HANDICAP

For those looking to kick off the new year with some locomotion, there is Tesh’s Hangover Handicap.

In its 40th year, the 5-mile, New Year’s Day fun run begins at 9:30 a.m. Sunday behind Michael D’s restaurant, 203 E. Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive.

Runners, walkers, dogs on leashes and babies in strollers will then embark on a course along the North Idaho Centennial Trail.

All proceeds from this event benefit Tesh, Inc., a private nonprofit that offers choices and opportunities to children and adults with disabilities seeking greater independence, self-sufficiency, and participation in their community.

Day-of-run registration from 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. behind Michael D’s restaurant. Registration costs $20 to wear your own shirt and $35 for a long-sleeved shirt.