'My toes are freezing'

COEUR d’ALENE — When Jeff Carpenter ran from Lake Coeur d’Alene following the Polar Bear Plunge on New Year’s Day,  he was all wet — and all smiles.

“That was an experience,” said the Post Falls man, who was wearing a colorful jester’s hat.

It was his first time taking the traditional dip to start the new year.

“I heard cold water plunges are good for your health so I thought I’d give it a try,” he said.

He’s hooked.

“I’ll do it every year, probably,” Carpenter said. 

A record-crowd of about 2,000 men, women and children lined Sanders Beach for about a quarter-mile as they waited for noon, the long-designated go time.

Some drank coffee, while others turned to the hard stuff to bolster their spirits.

“OK, we’ve got 10 minutes,” timekeeper Chad Bennett shouted, prompting a roar from the crowd.

Clad in shorts and bikinis, stocking caps and shoes, they rushed into the estimated 35-degree water with shouts, dove under, and came out screaming and charging to find their towels.

It wasn’t over quickly. Due to the size of the  crowd, it went on for several minutes and afterward many stayed around to share stories and laughs.

David Roraback of Texas was among them. He arrived in town to visit his brother and ended up at the lake on New Year’s morning.

“Refreshing,” he said. 

Roraback high-fived Nate Guillet of Coeur d’Alene, a veteran plunger.

Guilet said he enjoyed the event’s good vibes.

“It was amazing,” he said.

Bennett, wearing his trademark purple wig, said it was the largest crowd he had seen since he began manning the Polar Bear Plunge clock some 25 years ago.

He attributed the turnout to mild conditions of no snow and temperatures of about 40 degrees, and the growing popularity of cold water therapy that exposed people “to the idea of cold water not being scary.”

Plus, the Polar Bear Plunge is flat out fun.

“I think word just got out,” he said, laughing.

Vince DeWitte has called Coeur d’Alene home since 1972, but this was his first time taking the plunge. He was joined by his wife, Shaela.

“We want this to be a really changed year,” said Vince DeWitte, wearing an aloha shirt. “I want to get in shape and do things better.”

Trisha Miles was wearing a pink unicorn outfit as she walked along the shoreline in honor of her son, Shelby Miles, who is in the Air Force in North Carolina and about to be deployed to an undisclosed location.

“He would have loved to have been here, so I’m doing this for him,” Trisha Miles said.

As for the unicorn costume, she said, “Unicorns are full of magic and I think 2024 is going to be a magical year. I really do.”

Nicole Perez and Kadi Jenne came over from Spokane and leaped into the icy water, even staying in it for several minutes. It didn’t bother them as they often practice cold-water therapy.

It was Jenne’s first plunge, so her friend offered advice: “Dress awesome and have a good time.”

Perez wore a one-piece suit and bear cap while Jenne sported a tutu.

“We like to have fun,” Perez said. “We wanted to bring our sense of adventure to this experience.”

Dan Yovichin, a doctor and runner, spent 22 minutes in the lake, joined by a small crowd of diehards, before deciding it was time to dry off and warm up.

“My toes are freezing,” he said.

Scott Giltner of Hayden ran the 3-mile race to benefit Tesh to start the New Year, then took the plunge, as is his longtime tradition.

This year, he stayed in the lake for four minutes.

Giltner tore his ACL about eight months ago and showed some scars on his right leg.

“This is a nice way to cool down the legs,” he said.

But dressed and ready to return home, Giltner was shivering. 

Fortunately, his dog was waiting in the truck.

“Maybe I’ll cuddle with her a little bit and put the heater on full blast,” he said.

    Jeff Carpenter smiles as he runs out of Lake Coeur d'Alene after taking the Polar Bear Plunge on Monday.
  

    Vince and Shaela DeWitte wait for the Polar Bear Plunge at Sanders Beach on New Year's Day.
  

    Trisha Miles wears a pink unicorn costume at the Polar Bear Plunge on Monday.
  

    David Roraback, right, high-fives Nate Guillet following the Polar Bear Plunge.
  

    Some of the crowd heads into Lake Coeur d'Alene as others depart during the Polar Bear Plunge on Monday.
  

    Rob Root waits to take the Polar Bear Plunge on Monday at Sanders Beach.
  

    Polar Bear Plungers rush from Lake Coeur d'Alene.
  

    Nicole Perez, left, and Kadi Jenne are ready for the Polar Bear Plunge.
  

    Polar Bear Plungers line Sanders Beach as they wait for noon to rush into Lake Coeur d'Alene.
  

    People both leave and run into Lake Coeur d'Alene at Sanders Beach for the Polar Bear Plunge on Monday.