The air was in the mid-50s.

Water, well, “brrrr” It’s not really a precise temperature, but it will do the trick.

Lu Verne’s Miranda Casey took it without hesitation.

“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 cold water during the Fort Dodge Polar Plunge for Special Olympics at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park Sunday afternoon.

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

“The fewer clothes, the better.” she said. “Wet clothes keep you fresh longer. »

Hailey Rusher, of Callender, appreciated the post-dive amenities.

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

She prepared herself with some thoughts.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen

Lanna Nuckolls, left, of Fort Dodge, reacts to cold water with diving 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 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 people accomplish: She kept her hair dry.

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

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

“I would have yelled at him.” she said. “That would be a strong verbal reprimand.”

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen

Haley Studyvin, left, and diving partner Haley Thanupakorn, dove into the cold water Sunday at the Fort Dodge Polar Plunge for the Special Olympics at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park. Both are from Fort Dodge.

Tony Hosford, of Humboldt, wore a red union suit with a “Explosion zone” sign on the hatch. He found it on the Internet.

“This is my third year costume.” Hosford said.

He also prepares by remembering, it’s a little dip and it benefits a good cause.

“I feel hot when I go out” he said.

It may not have lasted too long for him this year. One of his team members reminded him that he had forgotten to bring a towel.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen

Juanita Hanlon, left, and her diving partner Miranda Casey, right, descend from the edge into the cold abyss Sunday afternoon during the Fort Dodge Polar Plunge for Special Olympics at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park. Both come from Lu Verne.

“I have to dry them in the freezer instead” he said.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen

Judy Oberhelman, of Humboldt, stays warm and dry for a few seconds before taking an icy plunge 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 taking an icy plunge at the Fort Dodge Polar Plunge for Special Olympics at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park Sunday afternoon.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen

Kirby Smith, left, and his mother, Kim Gordon, 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, takes a photo of Team Pac Man Sunday afternoon during the annual Fort Dodge Polar Plunge for the Special Olympics at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park. Niemeyer’s wife Janine is part of the team.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen

Hailey Rusher, of Callender, holds her daughter Eleanor Ebel, 10 months, before plunging into the cold at the Fort Dodge Polar Plunge for the Special Olympics at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park. While they wore matching shirts, Eleanor stayed warm and out of the cold water.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen

Kirby Smith, left, and his mother, Kim Gordon, react to icy water Sunday afternoon at the Fort Dodge Polar Plunge for Special Olympics at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park.