Why You Should Take a Dip in Chicago's Freezing Lake Michigan This Weekend

If someone offered you $100 to jump into Lake Michigan in frigid March, would you do it? Last year, more than 1,200 crazy people took the cash and went for a wintertime dip in Chicago's North Avenue Beach for the Polar Plunge, the main fund-raising event for Special Olympics Chicago.

Those who want to test the waters and help a good cause can put on their bathing suits and head to the lake on March 7 at 9 a.m. for the 10th annual Polar Plunge. The event works similar to a walkathon. Polar Plungers have to raise at least $100 in donations, but instead of walking a certain amount of miles, they have to brave the cold-as-hell water.

Swimmers are encouraged to get creative with their water wear, especially because there are individual and group costume contests as part of the festivities. You'll see everything from teams of 30-year-old Girl Scouts to wanna-be Jack Sparrows playing in the water. And to make it bearable, you don't have to go all the way under the water and heated tents are available when you get out of the water. Afterward, there's a Melt Down Party with free food, music and a cash bar, so that you can exchange glory stories with fellow plungers.

Although it's a charity event, you're rewarded for risking hypothermia with a commemorative T-shirt and towel. Raise $500 and get a duffel bag and two tickets to a Chicago White Sox game.

Online registration is over, but you can download a registration form from the website and sign up on-site.

Related Stories:
· Nothing Beats A Chilly Winter Rafting Trip [Jaunted]
· Summer Vacations With An Edge: A 2-Month Trek To The South Pole [Jaunted]

[Photo: Chicago Polar Plunge]

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