The beach at Mauch Chunk Lake is where you expect to see people in swimsuits in the summer. But in January - when the temperature is in the teens and much of the lake is covered with thick ice?

Not only were people wearing swimming apparel but they were jumping into the frigid water.

It happened at the eighth annual Polar Plunge to benefit Marian Catholic High School on Saturday morning with 66 “plungers” - from high school students to seniors - defying the elements and splashing into a hole cut into the ice about 20 feet from the shore.

An estimated 200 spectators watched as they strolled single-file toward the opening in the ice and jumped in.

There were an additional 18 “chickens” who chose to participate by wearing outlandish outfits, but chose to remain dry on land.

Kathy Goff, organizer, said this year’s Polar Plunge set a few records.

She said the event raised over $6,000 for Blue and Gold Club of Marian High School, the most ever raised by the Polar Plunge.

In addition, the 66 plungers was the most ever to challenge the cold water, beating the previous record of 57.

The turnout of spectators also is believed to have been the largest ever.

“I’m so excited,” Goff said of the event’s success. “It was successful beyond my imagination.”

She said participants came from as far as Pine Grove, Stroudsburg, Center Valley, New Jersey and there were four people from Georgia.

Goff has been the organizer since the Polar Plunge began eight years ago as a benefit for the former St. Joseph’s Regional School in Jim Thorpe. It was held for the school for five years, then Goff opted to continue it as a benefit for Marian.

She said it’s fun running it, adding, “I wouldn’t give it up for the world.”

Goff doesn’t do the plunge, though.

“Oh, no,” she laughed. “Never once will I put even a toe in that water, even if you paid me. You have to be a certain kind of crazy.”

Although Goff didn’t splash, the Blue and Gold Club President Rick Reaman of Nesquehoning did.

This is his sixth time doing the Polar Plunge. He was joined by his two daughters, Megan, a freshman at Marian, and Lauren, a junior at the school. This was the first time the girls took part.

Reaman was the third person to enter the water.

The first was Gil Corby of Saint Clair, who unceremoniously dropped straight into the water wearing only summer shorts. He wore no shirt or shoes.

He was followed by Bill Slattery III of Slatington, and then Reaman.

Slattery admits that hitting the water “takes your breath away instantly.”

This is the third consecutive year Slattery took part.

“My birthday is the 27th (of January) so I guess this is my personal little ritual.”

Colby last came to the Polar Plunge about five years ago.

Judyann McCarthy owns a house locally but coaches in New Jersey. She brought several of her students from New Jersey to take part.

Kristin Koch and Laura Pascoe, both of Palmerton, jumped into the water together. Pascoe also said that “it takes your breath away.”

This was her first time doing this. Would she do it again?

“A hard maybe,” she said.

The water on the lake in the beach area was frozen solid before the event. Vince Yaich of the Jim Thorpe Fire Department said members of the department used saws to cut open the ice and provide a place for the event.

Lehighton Ambulance was also present.

The final individual to take the plunge was Father Allen Hoffa, head of school at Marian. As he exited the water, he could be heard saying, “That’s it, that’s it.”

Goff said, “Obviously I want to thank everybody who came out and sponsored or donated. It was a record day, and despite the COVID, people came out. I think they were looking forward to having a good time, and I’m glad they chose our event.”