SANDPOINT — Some ran in from the shore, eager for it to be over.

Others walked into the chilly waters of Lake Pend Oreille as if out for a casual summer stroll on what was forecast as a partly sunny day but had more than its fair share of clouds and temperatures that hovered in the mid-30s.

Still others headed to the ramps by the City Beach boat launch and, with either a defiant yell or a quick breath to gather courage, jumped into the lake, joining hundreds of others in the community's annual Polar Bear Plunge.

Thursday’s plunge marked the 12th year Boy Scout Troop 111 has hosted the event in collaboration with the city of Sandpoint. This year, 433 people took part — a record for the event, Troop 111 Scoutmaster Phil Voelz said.

"It's a great community thing," Voelz said. "We have so many people who come down who love doing this. It's not just us, it's not just the scouts anymore."

Among them was Roxy Averill, who first took part several years ago after watching friends join the annual tradition.

"When you first go in, you know it's crazy, but it's helpful to be around all these other people to help you get the momentum and the guts to do it," she said. "But as soon as you come out, it's the most wonderful feeling."

Averill said she'd watched friends take part in plunges, including one who plunges throughout the year, and thought it looked like fun. But it took her three years of thinking about it to actually jump into the lake for the first time.

"I had thought about it for three years, and I figured after three years, it was time to stop thinking about it and actually do it," she said.

When you first enter the water, Averill said, your brain is telling you that what you're doing is crazy as it gets colder and colder while you walk in and immerse yourself.

"When you've done it and you turn around to walk out, you're happy it's over," she said. "Then the next minute, you're on sand and the sun is out, and you're amazed at how warm you are, because you're immediately defrosting. You're elated and it feels really good to have accomplished it."

Longtime participant Wesleigh Hammond, who attended with husband Steve Hammond and a couple of friends, agreed.

"Oh man, it's a rush," she added. "You feel like your whole body is trying to seize up and it's a real mind-over-matter situation where you are just trying to push through. When you first hit the water with your feet if you're walking in, you're binding up and the extra willpower push countering everything in your body saying, 'Don't put any more of you in the water, get out now.'"

Once you complete a plunge you realize that nothing is impossible, participants said.

"It's a great way to prove to yourself what you can do through will," Wesleigh Hammond said. "If I can do that, I can do anything."

Michael Clark, who brought his son Luca along for the fun, encouraged everyone to complete a polar bear plunge at least once.

"It's a good thing," Clark said. "If you get the opportunity to get out there and do it, you should. If you miss it, you kind of feel like you should have."

Many, like Katie Peel, said they took part in the event because it sounded like fun. 

Peel, who has taken part in cold plunging on a monthly basis since last October, said the event lived up to her expectations.

"People don't always do cold plunging and that sort of thing," she said. "It's supposed to be really good for you. I feel like you get a lot of energy afterward."

Many of the participants said it's far easier to jump into the lake's chilly waters — either off the dock in milder years or in a hole cut into the ice in far colder years — than to run in from the sandy shores of City Beach.

"Jumping in is easier because it's right there at your feet," Wesleigh Hammond said. "There is that one moment of action that it takes to get you into the water and the rest is gravity."

Walking in?

"Every step is a doubt," Steve Hammond said.

Plunge participants said they love the community feel of the event, with everyone gathered for a common goal and cheering each other on. The event is something everyone can participate in. With friends and family gathered to cheer everyone on, there's a feeling of unity and togetherness.

"Having a tradition that everyone can share is great," Wesleigh Hammond said. "You get to see your friends. You get to see them being brave. Even if you can't do the plunge, being there to support them and just scream your head off as they careen toward the water is fantastic."

The event started as a way for members of the Sandpoint-based troop to bond, inspired by Voelz's days of waterskiing on New Year's Day while living in California. Since waterskiing in the depths of a North Idaho winter didn't make sense, Voelz said the troop decided to do the next best thing — jump into the frigid waters of Lake Pend Oreille.

About a dozen of the Scouts took part in the plunge this year; the rest were out of town for the holidays or have moved away.

For Voelz, there's no better way to start the new year than spending the morning with the troop's scouts and leaders.

"The best part? Being here with my buddies," he added. "No doubt about it."

For many, like the Hammonds, the plunge quickly becomes an annual tradition — a perfect way to start each year. 

"My grandfather used to tell stories about a group in New York that did polar plunges, and I always loved the idea," said Wesleigh Hammond, who has participated in more than 10 plunges. "When we moved out here and had access to beautiful lakes, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to try it myself."

It is, she added, just plain fun and sets you up for a great year.

Her husband agreed.

"Any fears or doubts that you have about what you might be able to accomplish for the coming year, you just freeze them away," Steve Hammond said.

    A pair of participants leap into Lake Pend Oreille as they take part in Thursday's annual Polar Bear Plunge at Sandpoint City Beach.
  

    Two Polar Bear Plunge participants gasp walk out of Lake Pend Oreille after taking part in Thursday's annual event at Sandpoint City Beach.
  

    A family takes part in Thursday's annual Polar Bear Plunge, a collaboration between Boy Scouts Troop 111 and the city of Sandpoint.
  

    Wesleigh Hammond, Steve Hammond, Michael Clark, Luca Clark and Terry Owens take a selfie after taking part in Thursday's Polar Bear Plunge at Sandpoint City Beach.
  

    A pair of participants race into the water as they take part in Thursday's annual Polar Bear Plunge.
  

    A Polar Bear Plunge participant leaps off a dock at Sandpoint City Beach while taking part in the annual event. The event, which is hosted by Boy Scouts Troop 111 and the city of Sandpoint, attracted 433 people.