Angel Knopick, of Gary, grew up near Lakeland Park in Burns Harbor. She fondly recalls summers spent at the park. On Saturday, she swam in the frigid lake as part of the park department’s first polar plunge.
“It was a hell of a lot warmer” when Knopicki swam in the lake growing up.
But Saturday, she was happy to spend the $20 fee to run into the lake to benefit park department programming.
For Romaney Stutzman, of Berrien Springs, Michigan, it was her first polar plunge. “It’s really cold. I didn’t know what else to expect, and it met my expectations,” she said while trying to dry off afterward. “It wasn’t as cold as I thought, though.”
Stutzman showed her frozen hair. Despite the shivering, she decided she would take the plunge again. “It’s a cheap price to pay to run into freezing cold water,” she said. “That is a very good cause to give money to.”
“For our first one, we are really happy,” Park Director Kim Burton said. Some attendees didn’t preregister, but she was glad to let them join her in a brief swim. The proceeds will benefit the extensive programming at the park.
Burns Harbor Park Foundation President Chuck Tuter was bundled up with a warm coat, hat and gloves while standing outside, discussing the park department programming. Among the events is an archery lesson for kids with the Deep River Bowmen offering guidance. By the time they’re done, the kids not only hit the target but also get tight patterns near the bullseye. “They’re so proud of their accomplishments,” he said.
An Easter event allows kids in wheelchairs to use magnets to fish for eggs at the basketball eggs. “It’s warmer at Easter than it is now,” he said.
Burton noted the air temperature at the park on Saturday was about 20 degrees Fahrenheit. “The ‘real feel’ temperature is about 8 degrees,” she said.
Members of the Miller Beach Swim Club are accustomed to the cold. “I do it about six times a week,” Eric Tonk, of Gary, said. “This keeps me sane.”
Beginning about mid-October, he starts taking the frigid plunge. He has a tub in his backyard – “it’s just a horse trough” – that he can submerge in when he’s not in Lake Michigan with friends.
“It really helps my depression,” he said.
Tonk estimated the Lakeland Park water temperature Saturday at 38 to 40 degrees. He knows it wasn’t 30 degrees because that’s when he really feels the cold in his, um, swimsuit area.
Hypothermia is a concern, obviously, for polar plunge participants. Tonk wiggled his fingers to illustrate his point. When they can only move slowly, the fingers act as a warning sign.
“You’re not out here trying to set records,” said Michael Matrejek, of Gary. “If it’s time to come in, it’s time.”
Matrejek and fellow club members extolled the virtues of Wim Hof’s teachings. The Dutch motivational speaker revolutionized cold therapy.
“It really kind of resets everything,” Matrejek said. “Your whole cardiovascular system contracts. The effects of doing that is just magnificent.”
“For the next four to eight hours, I will be very clear,” with his mind sharp because of the cold swim.
But warming up didn’t take that long. Matrejek held a hot water bottle, saying polar plungers have to warm themselves in a safe way. “Move. Exercise. Go for a walk,” he said. Just wrapping up in blankets doesn’t warm a person as quickly as moving around. Club members walked, hopped and otherwise kept moving to work the chill out of their bones and muscles.
Tuter was glad to see the event went so well. He was concerned about making sure everyone was safe. There were lifeguards in place, a police presence in the parking lot and firefighters on standby at the station just in case.
There wasn’t ice on the lake, but there was a light fringe of snow around the edge of the water at the beach.
Burton, who hadn’t done a polar plunge before Saturday, is ready for more. “We’ll definitely continue it next year,” she said.
Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
