A record crowd ran into frigid Lake Michigan for the Waukegan Polar Bear Plunge on New Year’s Day, despite temperatures of 14 degrees and a windchill of nearly zero, but complaints were few and far between as the participants got out of the water.
“It was pretty cold, but I feel refreshed,” said Andreinn Bana, who was taking the plunge for the first time.
“I feel gratified,” added Tony Rocha, wearing a salsa-related costume, completing his 15th plunge as part of a group from Green Town Tavern as waves approached 3-foot heights toward the end of the event.
Chuck Castellanos, who organized a group of people to participate for the 14th year, felt like he always does when to runs into the lake on Jan. 1.
“If you start your year going into Lake Michigan, you know it can only get better from there,” he said as icicles started to form in his beard.
Castellanos. Bana and Rocha were among the 615 participants in the 27th annual Waukegan Polar Bear Plunge on Thursday at the Waukegan Municipal Beach, shattering the record of 540 set in 2024, and collectively raising more than $20,000 for Special Recreation Services of Northern Lake County.
The cold temperature was only one of the challenges facing the city of Waukegan and the Waukegan Park District, which ran the plunge together. With a combination of rain and snow in the week prior, David Motley, the city’s public relations director, said beach conditions were treacherous.
“This was one of the most challenging, not only because of the air temperature, but rain and precipitation beforehand made the beach icy,” Motley, who has been involved with the plunge since its inception, said. “Public Works was removing the ice and making it safe until the event started.”
Along with the record number of participants, Motley said the number of spectators was larger than usual as well, adding to the challenges for city personnel. The last walkup plungers were still preparing in the changing tents as the hour-long event was nearing its end.
“The volume of people who came and the (larger-than-usual) number of spectators added to the challenge,” Motley said.
Mayor Sam Cunningham moved around the plungers who came out of the changing tent onto the beach before they went into the water, and when they returned. He offered encouragement and thanks for their effort. He said they inspired him.
“Even in the cold, Waukegan shows up with warm hearts,” Cunningham said. “Special recreation programs truly change lives, so more people are stepping up to help make them more accessible for individuals with disabilities and their families.”
Josue Pasillas, the city’s assistant public relations director, said 400 people preregistered for the polar plunge and the other 215 came Thursday to join the effort. The money raised helps provide scholarships to people with special needs so they can participate in sports, the Special Olympics and other special recreation programs.
Standing waist-deep in Lake Michigan, wearing insulated diving outfits, were four firefighters from the Waukegan Fire Department. They not only marked the turning point for the swimmers — some people actually swam — but were there if anyone needed assistance.
George Bridges Jr., president of the Park District’s Board of Commissioners, is a former fire chief who has been one of the divers for the first 12 years of the plunge. On Thursday, he was also offering encouragement to the participants, greeting nearly all of them as they came out of the water.
“It’s important to support our families with special needs so they can participate in sports and other programs,” Bridges said.
Among the participants was JoAnn Flores-Dieter. She has tested the icy Lake Michigan waters for all 27 Waukegan Polar Bear Plunges. This year was special. She was joined by her three sons, Marlowe, 14, Beckett, 10, and Albee, 7.
“My youngest is doing it for the first time,” Flores-Dieter said. “I’ve gotten them all into the family business. We all worked together and raised $1,400. It was an opportunity for them to raise money for a worthy cause.”
Swimming in Lake Michigan year-round, including the winter months, is a normal activity for Adrienne Fawcett and Nan Caldwell of Lake Bluff. They are part of a group that swims in the lake daily for at least five minutes.
“It’s good for your mental health, physical health and social health because we do it with our neighbors,” Caldwell said.
“It feels enriching,” Fawcett added.