CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The organizers of a polar plunge fundraiser could not have predicted how cold it would be when they were planning today's event. But a good number of people still came out to plunge into freezing water.
Grant Boyadjjan, an organizer with the Chicago’s Polar Bear Club, said more than 350 participated in the yearly plunge, in its 18th year. The Polar Bear Plunge — not the same as the Chicago Polar Plunge — started in 2001 and originally had three people plunge, including founder Brian Marchal.
"The entire event is a charity fundraiser, so we fundraise for local families in the Chicago area who are in need of support,” Boyadjjan said.
The air temperature was ten degrees and the water was around freezing. Ice had to be chipped away to create open water for the swimmers, some of who ome wore costumes like American flag suits, a fur coat over a speedo, drums and art pieces and jerseys. Others wore very little.
A couple guys drew laughs from onlookers for their thong bathing suits.
The world champion boxer Luis K-O Mateo said it was so cold, “it was like getting knocked out — worse than that.”
Kyle Walker stood on the beach after his swim, wearing only a bathing suit. He seemed unfazed by the cold.
“It’s all about what are you doing on the inside,” Walker said.
He said he was feeding off of the energy of the crowd.
The Polar Bear Club expected to raise about $35,000 to help three Chicago families going through hardships. Wacth our livestream of the event below.