Rod Hardin, left, and Bob Hendrickson paddle in kayaks near Coulee Playland's boat launch on Banks Lake on Jan. 1, with the temperature hovering about 15 degrees, just so they could say they'd done it. Sandy Hendrickson took her turn, too. They didn't stay out very long, but Dave Steiglemeyer had hot cocoa waiting on shore to celebrate. All avoided hypothermia, but not by much.

- Scott Hunter photo