KISS Plunges at Buffalo Lake

Robert Richards, of Buffalo, has been polar plunging for over twenty years. His parents owned a timeshare near Brainerd in which many family members would gather around the holidays. “They had a hot tub, and we would jump into the snowbank, roll around, and run back into the hot tub.” That fun family tradition took root and grew. At the time, Robert didn’t know what the polar plunge was until he searched the Internet and came across a plunge at Pleasant Lake near St. Cloud that “looked like fun.” The Pleasant Lake plunge had a small rectangle cut into the ice, which Robert said he walked down a few steps and walked back out. “When I got out, I had to do it again.” The year was 2005, the start of what would become an almost two-decade long span of jumping into freezing-cold water.          

This year, Robert, along with his two daughters, grandson, and family friend took what Robert says will be his last plunge, at Sturges Lake, in an effort to raise money for Minnesota Special Olympics. Robert’s pledges come from, “Pounding the pavement. Businesses in Buffalo have been great, the community is super supportive. It amazes me. I’m overwhelmed by the support.” Robert is happy to see how the Buffalo plunge has grown. What started out with less than 100 jumpers has since increased to 300.

Highlights:              

Fun memories from Robert’s twenty years of plunging are many, dressing up as a variety of characters and personalities have been a favorite. This year, Robert, along with his two daughters, grandson, and a family friend donned the customs of the famous rock group KISS. “I’ll look like Gene Simmons. I imagine my makeup will be running.” 

He recalls a fond memory of a time when he and his daughters wore flannel zip-up pajamas. “The flannel material soaked up so much water. They were so heavy and difficult to take off. It was hard to get warm.”  

Advice and insight:

Robert tells anyone who’s on the fence about getting involved and taking that first plunge to, “Know that you will get cold, but it goes so fast, and it’s for a great cause. It might look worse than it is. You have to do it at least once.” Robert says that there are a lot of anxieties that go through your mind before a jump. He reminds himself to have fun and that he’s supporting a good organization. “I just love where the money goes. It helps support athletes competing in the Special Olympics.” Robert is proud to be part of a delegation that supports athletes in Buffalo, citing that proceeds raised have helped a local swimmer, Park the Shark, (Minnesota Special Olympics athlete, Park Gilmer) travel and compete in the 2022 Summer Special Olympics in Orlando. “It makes my heart happy.”           

The coldest air temperature Robert has plunged in was -5° F, with the wind chill making it feel much colder. “They couldn’t use hot tubs to help jumpers warm up that day because the water wouldn’t stay hot enough. There was supposed to be a warm misting system, but that froze up, too.”               

Robert, along with his family and friends, have a wealth of Polar Plunging experience. This year, the plunge at Sturges Park on Buffalo Lake will be Robert’s last, but if you ask his daughters, he might get pulled back into that icy-cold water. Seeing Robert’s enthusiasm for Polar Plunging and the cause that it helps to support, there’s a chance his daughters might just be right.

This year’s Polar Plunge at Sturges Lake saw 285 plungers take the dip into freezing-cold water. These brave and hearty souls raised at total of $74,522 for Special Olympians.