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Published January 26, 2009, 12:00 AM

2009 Okoboji Winter Games

Polar Plunge, Mini Golf and Broomball


These women tried to hit a golf ball through a pair of blue jeans during the Okoboji Winter Games in downtown Spirit Lake shops Saturday morning. Instead of a golf club, they had to use a boat oar. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)

  • These women tried to hit a golf ball through a pair of blue jeans during the Okoboji Winter Games in downtown Spirit Lake shops Saturday morning. Instead of a golf club, they had to use a boat oar. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • A store clerk at Evans Clothing store in downtown Spirit Lake demonstrates their putt-putt golf hole Saturday during the Okoboji Winter Games. Golfers had to use a mannequin leg to get the ball into the hula-hoop. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • People practice playing broomball on a cleared off section of Big Spirit Lake during a previous Okoboji Winter Games celebration.(Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • The ice proved slippery for athletes taking part in some of the winter games, as seen by this broomball player who went for a belly-flop. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Trucks and toys, AKA four-wheelers and snowmobiles, filled Smith's Bay Saturday during the 29th annual Okoboji Winter Games. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • A member of the Arnold's Park-Okoboji Search and Rescue demonstrates his rescue suit in the frigid water Saturday afternoon before the Polar Bear Plunge. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Participants in the Polar Bear Plunge stood in 2-degree temperatures Saturday afternoon waiting for their dive. The first participant stood in her swimming suit and shorts for more than 10 minutes before the diving was allowed to begin. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • After personnel with the Arnold's Park-Okoboji Search and Rescue broke up a thin layer of ice, the first diver of the afternoon was ready to take the plunge. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • A man wearing only his jockey shorts reacts after taking the Polar Bear Plunge Saturday afternoon. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • A women dressed in a bridal gown gets interviewed after she took the plunge Saturday afternoon during the Okoboji Winter Games Polar Bear Plunge. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Seth Seaman of Spencer shutters against the 2-degree air temperature after taking part in the Polar Bear Plunge. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • This Polar Bear Plunge participant exhales a puff of warm air after diving into the frigid waters of Big Spirit Lake during the Polar Bear Plunge.
  • Several of the 140 divers to take part in the Polar Bear Plunge Saturday afternoon shiver under thin towels and wait for their turn to dive into the frigid waters of Big Spirit Lake. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • These two young boys were among the younger generation to dive in Satuday's Polar Bear Plunge. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • The look on this man's face makes you wonder if he wished he hadn't taken the plunge. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • These guys stepped out of the warming trailer to get in line for the Polar Bear Plunge. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • This guy's skin looks dangerously red after taking the Polar Bear Plunge Saturday afternoon during the Okoboji Winter Games. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • Steam rolls off of this man as he heads for the warming house after taking part in the Polar Bear Plunge. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)
  • This guy quickly heads for the warming trailer after taking the plunge Saturday at the Okoboji Winter Games' Polar Bear Plunge. (Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe)