Dozens of brave souls, both young and old, rung in the new year with the annual Polar Bear Swim on Sunday (Jan. 1) at Kenosha’s Simmons Island Beach.
Canceled four of the last five years due to frigid temperatures and dangerous currents, local residents were treated to “ideal” conditions on Sunday, according to Brian Vaccaro, Kenosha County Scout Leaders Rescue Squad Dive Team divemaster.
Lake Michigan was calm and a balmy 37 degrees, nearly matching the 39-degree air temperature.
The Polar Bear Swim has been organized for the past 55 years by Dan Vaccaro, affectionately known in the community as “Diver Dan.” The event serves as a fundraiser for the Kenosha County Scout Leaders Rescue Squad.
This year’s event raised $536.
To donate to the Kenosha County Scout Leaders Rescue Squad, visit www.scoutleadersrescue.org.
