FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Community members began their new year with an ‘extra-refreshing’ swim on Wednesday.
The 53rd annual Polar Bear Club Swim invites club members, and willing community members, to wade into the Saint Joseph’s River.
Plungers hurried into the river with a wide range of outfits, everything from swim trunks to sweatshirts. Although the swimmers conquered the cold together, everyone had a different approach.
Some members went in up to their ankles, while others plunged their full body into to the river.
Most stayed in the river for a few seconds, but a few people sat in the stream for several minutes.
The Fort Wayne Fire Department’s dive team was supervising the plunge. Shift Supervisor Scott Merkle said the water was 39.9 degrees farenheit.
Mark Stuerzenberger has been doing the Polar Bear Club Swim for 35 years. He said sometimes, so cold that he can feel his muscles “freezing up”.
Despite the uncomfortable feeling, he loves doing the swim with his son and fellow friends.