During the winter of 2009, social studies teacher David Vincent was driving home when something felt a little off. He had dived into a semi-frozen lake, and in the process he lost his wedding ring.

Polar plunging is when a person runs into a lake during the winter.

When he ran in, Vincent can remember not being able to feel his feet.

“The suffering is temporary,” Vincent said. “[But] the story is worth it.”

Chemistry teacher Marcel Grdinic went polar plunging during the winter of 2010.

“It’s like ripping off a Band-Aid,” Grdinic said. “Just spring in, dive under, turn around and get out.”

He doesn’t plan on going polar plunging again, but said it was certainly something he wants to remember.

Vincent advises new polar plungers to bring warm clothes and take off any jewelry before entering the water.

“You need to do crazy things in life,” Vincent said. “Even though [polar plunging] is unpleasant, it’s another form of adventure seeking.”