Daring Swimmers Brave Frigid Water in Local Polar Plunges01/02/2026Swimming may not be on your mind during winter, but it certainly was for some brave people who ran into frigid waters during local polar plunges. In Fort Wayne, the St. Joe Athletics Club held its 54th annual Polar Bear Club Swim at Johnny Appleseed Park that had dozens of participants. Likewise, Springfield Township in Lucas County, Ohio hosted its annual Springfield Splash at the Homecoming Park pond. Firefighters were onsite at both events as a safety measure.