Mandatory Milwaukee: Thinking about doing the Polar Bear Plunge and then finally doing it

Some Milwaukee things come and go, while some Milwaukee things become iconic. Mandatory Milwaukee is all about the latter. This week: finally doing the Polar Bear Plunge!

Near the end of 2021, I wrote about a cherished Milwaukee tradition: thinking about doing the New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge into Lake Michigan but then not actually doing it. Now, just over a year later, I’m here to write about another tradition:

Thinking about doing the Polar Bear Plunge and then finally doing it.

Yep! I finally did it! On Sunday, I hoofed it to Bradford Beach and joined hundreds of other foolhardy Milwaukeeans (and some out-of-staters) in a mission to dive into the frigid waters of Lake Michigan. Why? Why not! The weather was in the 40s, there was little to no breeze, and the thought of starting a new year with a body-shocking swim seemed appealing. The crowd was large and in good spirits. There were oodles of tents and bonfires. A friend agreed to jump in with me. Our respective families humored us and helped with towels. It wasn’t that bad!

Here’s a video and a handful of photos. Enjoy! And happy 2023, Milwaukee!