The inaugural "Ice Swim" at Lake Johanna in Arden Hills has winter water enthusiasts ready for the thrill of the chill.
What the ice swim is not, explains Race Director and Founder Nick Tamble.
"I'm just getting media up to speed because all you guys think we're doing a polar plunge," he clarifies.
So, it's much more than that?
"This is life and death, we're going to be going in 34 degree water," Tamble said. "So, we're cutting a 12-foot, by 10-foot, by 82-foot, two lane, 25-meter pool. So people are gonna competitively swim in it."
For this race to come to fruition is a remarkable achievement.
"There's only five places in the world that do this," Tamble said Friday as they prepped the lake. "This wasn't even a thought before 14 weeks ago. This should need a year of planning. I opened up registration on January 22nd, Wednesday. In 25 days I was sold out with 100 swimmers.
There will be some who won't finish, but it's safe to say, the ice swim is here to stay with such overwhelming popularity in it's first iteration. There are several Olympians and even a Guinness World Record holder in town for the swim.
If you think these swimmers are crazy? Well, that's because they kind of are according to Tamble.
"Everybody calls us crazy, but the health benefits are widely known about cold water," he says. "A lot of people do this. Number one for mental health reasons, it brings you to the present moment. You can't be in the past or future, you're just worried about, like, not freezing to death."
By the way, if you're curious what it feels like? You can take a dip prior to racing. There is currently an ice hole available at Lake Johanna where the event will take place. You can test the waters there anytime before the swim.
WARNING: There are no attendants on site until the event, so be safe, have a safety second person, and enter at your own risk!
There will be three swim lengths: 25, 50, and 100 meters. Racing begins at 11:00 a.m. Saturday morning. The also have a hot sauna where seats can be reserved. A food truck will be on site with hot food and beverages, fire rings, on-ice games, a luminary walk at dusk, and more. You can find more details here.