SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM

WESCOTT — The barely above freezing temperatures did not make the annual Polar Bear Plunge at the Lighthouse on Wednesday as chilling as in years past, but participants were still shivering after making their jumps into the water.

Almost 30 people made the dive into the channel behind the restaurant that links Shawano Lake with the Wolf River, which only had minimal ice on it when the plunge took place. Some were dressed in costumes like Grinches and fairies, while others were dressed in spandex, shorts and other everyday attire.

The result was pretty much the same for most. They jumped in. There was a big splash. The jumper resurfaced and made a beeline for the shore, where towels were waiting.

Except for Diane Bloomquist, the first to make the plunge. At 75, the Shawano resident waded into the channel until she was up to her neck, chatted with friends on the dock for a moment and then slowly made her way back to the shore. She had a knee replaced and was experiencing issues with one of her shoulders, but she wanted to be part of the fun, anyway.

“It doesn’t bother me,” Bloomquist said about the cold water.

A costume contest was a new component for this year’s plunge. Warren Thunder, of Shawano, took first place and $100 for taking a dive into the channel dressed like Richard Simmons.

Thunder has been participating in plunges like Shawano’s for 15 years.

“It’s just developed into a little bit of a tradition with the kiddos,” Thunder said.

The tradition has passed down to his son, Tyler Thunder, who has been making the plunge for 10 years.

“I started when I was 7,” Tyler Thunder said. “It’s just a fun thing to do. It’s a Wisconsin thing.”

Among the participants were some first-timers like Stone Lampman, of Shawano, who tagged along with the Thunders to give it a try. While most say they’ll do it again, Wednesday’s plunge was likely his first and last as he dared to jump in only wearing shorts.

“It was either that or naked, so we went with the first option,” Lampman said. “It’s better than nothing.”

For some in the community, the plunge can be a family affair. Daniele Coffey, of Shawano, made a return to the local waters after taking a hiatus, and she brought her 10-year-old son, Tristan Lawe, along for the big leap.

“He’s been begging me for the last three years, and I wouldn’t let him, but this is the first year I let him jump. He’s finally got to do the tradition,” Coffey said as she dried off inside the Lighthouse, adding, “It’s not that bad now that I’m in here.”

Lawe described the experience as fun.

“My feet went in first, and my feet froze the second I went in,” he said.

This is the 19th year that Jeff Stachowiak, the Lighthouse’s owner, has held the Polar Bear Plunge.

“Next year will be the 20th anniversary,” Stachowiak said proudly. “It was still cold.”

Proceeds from the event went toward the Shawano Ski Sharks.

lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com