Charity ice dive held in Excelsior — just without ice

EXCELSIOR, Minn. — Some Minnesotans spent their New Year's Day diving into an cold, but iceless, Lake Minnetonka.

While the ALARC Charity Ice Dive is a 34-year tradition in Excelsior, Monday was the first time the lake hasn't frozen over. In fact, according to founder, Bill "Dock" Wemmark, the last time Lake Minnetonka wasn't frozen on Jan. 1 was 1877-78.

Nonetheless, about 400 people dove into the cold water New Years Day.

"The water is always 32 degrees. After 34 years I can tell you never gets better. It is very, very cold," Wemmark said. "But you know you just do it. And it's like life. You face all kinds of challenges in life that have all sorts of emotions and feelings. Right? But what do you do quit? No. You jump in and you go and you finish it."

Temporary floating docks were installed by Excelsior firefighters, ALARC members and Minnetonka High School football players since there is no ice on the lake.

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Each year the charity dive raise money for the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, Excelsior fire and police departments and the Tonka Nordic Racing Team.

"We do it for the gratitude that we owe to these firefighters, police officers, EMS, rescue people, the suicide prevention which is a big deal," Wemmark said. "Twenty-two a day in our veterans' community  — 22 a day. We're being able to contribute to make that maybe change for the better. So yeah, that's the big deal that's the pay."

Those who have make the dive a yearly New Year's Day tradition say it's the perfect way to wake up and refresh for the new year. 

ALARC Charity Ice Dive is still accepting donations online.