Frigid temperatures, near subzero wind chills and the threat of snow were no match for the stamina of 45 people who participated in the Polar Plunge on New Year’s Day at the Lighthouse, which was the 25th time the restaurant near the Shawano Municipal Airport held the event.
The snow stopped shortly before 2 p.m., with a temperature around 13 degrees that had a wind chill near zero, but plenty of folks bellied up to the dock to dive into the channel that connects Shawano Lake with the Wolf River. There were plenty of previous jumpers and families, but many of them were first timers.
Corey Vander Zanden not only made the plunge himself, but he also got some of his employees to don Speedos and jump in the frigid water as a team-building exercise. Vander Zanden owns Homestead Stump Grinding and Excavating in the Appleton area.
“I was all, ‘Hey, I’ve got a great idea. Let’s do a polar plunge for charity and everything,’” Vander Zanden said. “Everybody was like, ‘Let’s jump in.’ I knew it was going to be cold, but it actually wasn’t as bad as I thought.”
Brandon Elrick, one of Vander Zanden’s employees, decided to hit the water wearing only an American flag Speedo.
“We thought it would be fun, and everybody would get some enjoyment out of it,” Elrick said.
Taylor Mahkimetas, another first-time jumper, said she participated because of a friend’s post on social media. She described her experience as being the opposite of Vander Zanden’s.
“I always wanted to do it, but then I always missed it,” Mahkimetas said. “It was a lot worse than I expected with instant shock, but it felt great, though.”
Kookie Oshkosh took the plunge with her friend, Mahkimetas, saying she did it because it was something she’d never done before. She’s ready to do it again, though.
“I really liked that you could donate it to charity, and you get a cool, little towel out of it,” Oshkosh said. “We’re hoping to bring more people with us next year.”
Jeff Stachowiak, who owns the Lighthouse with his wife, Tammy, recalled that only six people made the plunge the first year, so the event has grown steadily since its inception. This year’s proceeds will go to benefit a veterans organization, he said, although he’s still finalizing which organization will get the money.
“It’s great for the community,” Stachowiak said. “We get a lot of support from employees, friends.”
Tammy Stachowiak said she loves to see it when families take part.
“I really love to see the families and when the kids say, ‘Come on, Dad. Let’s do it,’” she said.
lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com
