From ODC

Owatonna Diving Club New Years Day Ice Dive!!!

Postby Adam McDermott on Tue Dec 30, 2008 4:55 pm

Adam McDermott
Catch-N.com Pro-Staff

Date: Tue Dec 30, 2008

OWATONNA — It started with a dare. And now, more than 45 years later, members of the Owatonna Diving Club are preparing to continue the tradition of jumping into Lake Kohlmeier on the first day of the new year.

"Back a long time ago somebody made a dare to another club member to dive in the lake on New Year's while it was so cold. Well, he did and that is how it started," said Owatonna Diving Club secretary, John Chapman. "It kind of stuck."

Every year since 1963, on Jan. 1, the club has organized a dive to celebrate the new year.

"It's a big social get-together for the club," Chapman said.

The dive was previously held at Morehouse Dam, but this year, the club has moved it to Lake Kohlmeier for deeper water.

A hole in the ice will be dug and a tent will be placed around the area for when divers return to the surface.

Although temperatures are expected to be in the teens for New Year's Day, Chapman said the cold water isn't really a factor for divers.

"Most of us run dry suits, so we stay warmer in the cold water," he said. "It's really not much different than diving in Lake Superior. The water may be just a little bit colder. This is pretty shallow, so most people could stay down maybe more than an hour. Most people get bored so they spend maybe 20, 30 minutes and then come up."

The public is welcome to attend the dive which will begin at 1 p.m. Thursday. Divers will arrive late morning to begin setting up for the event.

The Owatonna Dive Club regularly hosts dives, primarily on local lakes but also on trips to Lake Superior and other large Minnesota Lakes. The club also offers scuba classes and air fills. It is reportedly the oldest and largest dive club in Minnesota.

IF YOU GO:
What: New Year's Day Dive
Who: Owatonna Diving Club
Where: Lake Kohlmeier
When: 1 p.m., New Year's Day
Cost: Free

This will be my first year participating in the annual Ice Dive. Will be at Lake Kohlmier in Owatonna, MN. Dont have dive equipment bring just your shorts!!! lol Divers prepare for annual dip, now in Lake Kohlmeier Cant wait to actually be underneith the ice!

By: WENDY REUER

Posted: Monday, December 29, 2008 10:53 pm
P.O. Box 232
Owatonna, MN