Baby, it's cold in Lake Coeur d'Alene

At 11:40 a.m. Wednesday, a blue-wigged Chad Bennett shouted out the continuing countdown to Polar Bear Plunge 2025. 

“Twenty minutes,” he yelled into a bullhorn. 

A man near him on Sanders Beach shook his head and muttered a phrase that foretold the future: “Twenty minutes to chattering teeth.” 

True to form, there were chattering teeth, along with screams, smiles, high-fives and hugs as about 1,000 men, women and children ran a few steps into Lake Coeur d’Alene before diving under the 44-degree water on a cloudy New Year’s Day. 

At noon, it was bedlam, along with laughs and triumphant fist pumps, as people dashed, dove and charged back to towels, robes and blankets on the beach sprinkled with morning snow. 

Sam and Jenny Bright of Spokane hugged amid the madness after they left the water. She said they met in Coeur d’Alene. 

“This is our love city,” Jenny Bright said. 

This was their first time taking the Polar Bear Plunge, and they were glad they did. 

“Awesome,” Jenny Bright said. “Felt so good.” 

People began arriving around 11 a.m. to stake their spot on the beach on a 32-degree morning. The water was calm, even enticing, and many accepted the invitation. 

Bennett brought along his usual polar bear clock with the banner that read, “I Can Polar Bear It.” Another teddy bear sat in the “Polar Bear Express” wagon. 

The conditions were mild compared to last year’s water temperature of 33 degrees. 

“It's been a lot colder,” said Bennett, who has completed the plunge since 1996 with the exception of 2008 when he was deployed to Iraq. 

“My brother subbed in for me that year,” he said, smiling.

Bennett considers it a fun family event that unites kids to seniors in sharing a chilling experience they will long remember.

“A good way to baptize your New Year’s resolution,” he said. 

As the clock clicked closer to noon, the line of people clad in shorts and swimsuits stretched far on Sanders Beach. 

Mickael Stevens and son Guster of Coeur d’Alene shared a hug as they stood on the shoreline, mere seconds before charging into the lake. 

It was dad’s 12th plunge, and son’s second. 

“He’s excited. He’s nervous,” Mickael Stevens said of his son. 

Guster, 9, was anxious. 

“I think it’s fun,” he said.  

Dad agreed. 

“It's just a fun thing we could do together, a great way to start the year,” he said. 

About 20 feet away, Thomas Laxson of Moscow held his daughter, Luci, in his arms as her feet were starting to get cold. 

They made the 85-mile trek to Coeur d’Alene specifically for the Polar Bear Plunge. 

As Bennett counted down the seconds, cheers filled the air and Thomas Laxson set his daughter down. 

She was ready. 

“I’m soooo excited,” Luci exclaimed. 

Richard Bartel joined Ellen Stok and Connie Peterson at the plunge but not with the same intentions. 

“I am not going in that water,” he said, adding that was despite the water being “the warmest it’s been all year.” 

“He’s our moral support,” Peterson said. 

Stok brushed off the frigid dip that awaited. 

“With me being close to 70, I have built in insulation called fat," she said, laughing.  

Paul “Torgy” Torgerson took the plunge, despite a broken right foot. 

He said he was going to skip it, but his nephew, Cole, reminded him it was their tradition. 

“You can do it, Uncle Paul,” Cole said. “I’ll drop you off and you can crutch your way in.” 

So Torgerson did. 

And as usual, he loved it. 

“I was more focused on my foot than coldness of the water,” he said, “so it actually felt really refreshing. I’m glad I kept the tradition going.” 

It was his 42nd year taking the Jan. 1 plunge.

Well after most plungers had left Sanders Beach and headed for the warmth of home, a handful remained in the water, part of their cold-water therapy practice. 

“It helps the body, keeps the inflammation down,” said Stephen Garwick.

He back floated, then stood up and looked at his watch. He had been in the lake 24 and a half minutes. Usually, he stays in for about 10-15 minutes. 

“Today I’ll do 25,” he said, adding it was about time to get out. “My kids are waiting for me.” 

    Mickael Stevens and son Guster of Coeur d’Alene share a hug prepare for the Polar Bear Plunge at Sanders Beach on New Year's Day.
  

    Polar Bear Plungers rush from Lake Coeur d'Alene at Sanders Beach on Wednesday.
  

    Paul Torgerson uses a crutch as he leaves Lake Coeur d'Alene after the Polar Bear Plunge on Wednesday.
  

    Chad Bennett holds a sign high as part of the countdown to the Polar Bear Plunge at Sanders Beach on New Year's Day.
  

    People huddle in Lake Coeur d'Alene during the Polar Bear Plunge on Wednesday.
  

    Richard Bartel and Ellen Stok pose before the Polar Bear Plunge on Wednesday at Sanders Beach.
  

    Stephen Garwick floats in Lake Coeur d'Alene after the Polar Bear Plunge on Wednesday.
  

    People line Sanders Beach as they wait to take the plunge into Lake Coeur d'Alene on Wednesday.
  

    Thomas Laxson of Moscow holds his daughter Luci before the Polar Bear Plunge.
  

    People rush from Lake Coeur d'Alene after taking the plunge Wednesday.
  

    People take pictures before taking the plunge on Wednesday.