The air was in the mid 50s.

The water, well, “brrrr” isn’t actually a precise temperature, but it will do.

Miranda Casey, of Lu Verne, took it in stride.

“It wasn’t really that bad,” she said. “The air kind of prepared you.”

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Hailey Rusher, of Callender, and LIz Rusher, of Fort Dodge, react to the cold water at the Fort Dodge Polar Plunge for Special Olympics at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park Sunday afternoon.

She also adopted another tactic. She went into the water in a swimsuit rather than a full costume.

“The less clothes the better,” she said. “With wet clothes you stay chilly longer.”

Hailey Rusher, of Callender, appreciated the post plunge amenities.

“There’s a nice warm tent when it’s over.” Rusher said.

She prepped with a few thoughts.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Lanna Nuckolls, at left, of Fort Dodge, reacts to the cold water wiith her plunge partner Janine Niemeyer Sunday afternoon at the Fort Dodge Polar Plunge for Special Olympics at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park Sunday afternoon.

“I just think that it’s quick and it’s for a good cause. Just do it. It’s only once a year,” she said.

Judy Oberhelman, of Humboldt, managed to do what few accomplish — she kept her hair dry.

“My husband didn’t dunk me,” she said.

Had he done that, things might not have gone well for Ron Oberhelman.

“I’d have yelled at him,” she said. “It would be a strong verbal reprimand.”

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Haley Studyvin, at left, and her plunge partner Haley Thanupakorn, hit the cold water Sunday at the Fort Dodge Polar Plunge for Special Olympics at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park. Both are from Fort Dodge.

Tony Hosford, of Humboldt, wore a red union suit with a “Blast Zone” sign on the trapdoor. He found it on the internet.

“It’s my third-year costume,” Hosford said.

He too preps by remembering, it’s a short plunge and it benefits a good cause.

“I feel warm when I get out,” he said.

That might not have lasted too long for him this year. One of his team members reminded him that he forgot to bring a towel.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Juanita Hanlon, at left, and her plunge partner Miranda Casey, right, step off the edge into the cold abyss Sunday afternoon during the Fort Dodge Polar Plunge for Special Olympics in John F. Kennedy Memorial Park. Both are from Lu Verne.

“I have to freeze dry instead,” he said.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Judy Oberhelman, of Humboldt, stays warm and dry for a few seconds before going for an icy dive with her husband, Ron Oberhelman, right, at the Fort Dodge Polar Plunge for Sp0ecial Olympics at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park Sunday afternoon.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Judy Oberhelman, of Humboldt, stays warm and dry in her bathrobe before going for an icy dive at the Fort Dodge Polar Plunge for Special Olympics in John F. Kennedy Memorial Park Sunday afternoon.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Kirby Smith, left, and her mom, Kim Gordon, strike a pose before jumping into the icy water at the Fort Dodge Polar Plunge for Special Olympics at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park Sunday afternoon.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Brad Niemeyer, of Fort Dodge, snaps a photo of the Pac Man team Sunday afternoon at the annual Fort Dodge Polar Plunge for Special Olympics at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park. Niemeyer's wife Janine is a member of the team.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Hailey Rusher, of Callender, holds her daughter Eleanor Ebel, 10 months, before going for a cold plunge at the Fort Dodge Polar Plunge for Special Olympics at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park. While they wore matching shirts, Eleanor stayed snuggly warm and out of the cold water.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Kirby Smith, left, and her mom, Kim Gordon, react to the icy water Sunday at the Fort Dodge Polar Plunge for Special Olympics at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park Sunday afternoon.