Annual Polar Plunge Not Affected by COVID

The COVID-19 pandemic did not cancel the annual Lake DeSmet Polar Plunge, and neither did the lack of ice at the lake this year.

Hundreds of people gathered at the monument boat ramp on New Year’s Day to participate and witness the event.

This year with the lack of ice on the lake, those braving the cold water lined up along the bank and rushed in to welcome in the new year.

The reasons why people choose to participate vary greatly, from “cleansing themselves for the new year,” to “just having some fun.”

Jennifer Drake and Levi Drake, a brother/sister team from Clearmont, said they originally decided to participate to check off an item on their “bucket list,” but have been doing it every year since.

The Drakes said “you’re only cold for about 2 seconds, and then you kinda get numb to it.”