25 to 30 people take the icy plunge into Lake Milton

LAKE MILTON — Lauren Hibbard’s Christmas break from school partly means a temporary reprieve from assignments, classwork and tests.

Nevertheless, no amount of studying could have prepared the Wadsworth High School 10th-grader for what to expect after jumping into 33-degree water.

“I couldn’t even move, I was so cold,” said Lauren, of Wadsworth, referring to having spent a brief time in Lake Milton during today’s 10th annual Polar Bear Plunge at the Craig Beach swimming area and beach off Grandview Road.

Sponsoring the event was the Grandview Tavern on Grandview Road here.

Clad in a bikini, wrapped in a towel and dripping wet in 23-degree temperatures, Lauren said the experience was more difficult going into the water than coming out.

“My dad said it didn’t count if I didn’t get my head wet,” added Lauren, whose 8-year-old brother, Sean, also took the icy plunge.

The New Year’s Day event drew about 75 spectators along the shore, as well as roughly 25 to 30 men, women and children who braved the elements to enter the frigid lake.

For the complete story, read Thursday's Vindicator and Vindy.com