COEUR d’ALENE — Friends Billy Vigil and Joe Guzman wore white NASA outfits, bopped about to “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC and joined colleagues in toasting 2021 at Sanders Beach Friday morning.

They left no doubt, they were having a good time.

The Post Falls men were in the mood to start the new year in party mode — and with a leap into Lake Coeur d’Alene for the annual Polar Bear Plunge, their six-year tradition.

“It’s how you start the year,” a joyous Guzman said. “Get in some cold water. You get refreshed, you get happy, you’re cold. It’s 2021.”

“It’s a baptism every year, baby,” Vigil added with a big grin.

They were among about 600 men, women and yes, children, who charged into the 39-degree lake on a cloudy 38-degree day at noon to celebrate the new year.

It was a happy, festive crowd that came together for the impromptu event that went off as usual amid coronavirus lockdowns in other areas around the country, including neighboring Washington state.

Most shook off the cold just as they shook off worries or fears of the coronavirus. There was no social distancing going on and only a few wore masks.


Ray Roberts of Coeur d’Alene wore a Santa suit as he and Brandi Pitchoinn came out to take their inaugural plunge.

“I might sink,” Roberts joked."But I might just tough it out and keep it on the whole time."

They weren’t worried about the frigid dip ahead.

“Cold is good for you,” Pitchoinn said.

Roberts said he was looking forward to emerging from the lake with a new start on a new year.

“Just to wipe away all the negative things of 2020,” he said.

Others also wore costumes. Some danced before diving in. Many huddled, guzzled hot and cold drinks, and posed for pictures as they spread out on the beach.

“Twenty minutes,” shouted Chad Bennett, the 25-year unofficial official organizer, who brought countdown placards, a timer, a stuffed polar bear and a sign that read “I can Polar Bear it.”

The enthusiastic crowd whooped and hollered in response.

“I feel great, love it,” said Bennett, who was wearing a blue wig.

He said he received emails and messages asking if the plunge was going to happen, as some feared it might be canceled as a similar plunge was in Edmonds, Wash.

Bennett responded that it’s not a sanctioned event, but “just a gathering of people.”

So, in other words, just show up and jump in. No one will stop you.

“It’s been that way before I even started,” he said.

With a few minutes to noon, hundreds began taking their places on the shoreline, the line of people in shorts and swimsuits and bikinis and Speedos stretched a hundred yards down the beach.

Bennett shouted “20 seconds” but folks down the line didn’t wait for zero and charged in, setting off a chain reaction. In the next chaotic minutes, young and old splashed and dashed in, dove under and dashed out, yelling as they went.

Some double-dipped and went twice in what were really mild conditions. One man swam out about 50 yards to a buoy, then returned. One brother tossed another back in the lake as he tried to flee. Another man stayed in the lake, up to his neck, chatting with friends.

Fabian Mercado of New York City joined his sister and her family and friends for the plunge, as they have done for about five years on New Year’s Day.

Later, they posed for a group photo, everyone laughing triumphantly.

“It was great. Not as cold as years past,” he said. “Still fun.”

This year's plunge was important, he added.

“We kind of brush away the old and start the new year fresh,” a clearly delighted Mercado said.

Spokane friends David Nicholson and Sean McBride dried off and warmed up on the beach after taking their first plunge.

Both talked about the challenges of 2020 and looking ahead to a refreshing 2021. The dip took their breath away and was a shock to their systems, but yes, absolutely worth it, they said.

It was, they agreed, just what they needed.

“Freeing,” Nicholson said. “It felt good.”

“It’s kind of like washing away the old year,” McBride added.