On a chilly, overcast Friday morning, over 100 strangers gathered near the Chess Pavilion in Lincoln Park, towels in hand, waiting for the signal to jump into Lake Michigan just after sunrise. This was Frosty Fridays, a fast-growing weekly meetup where Chicagoans and visitors start the day with a plunge into the lake.
A Community Forms
The event was started this spring by 25-year-old Jacob White, who moved to Chicago in November. White, who had previously participated in a similar ritual in Australia, wanted to create a consistent Friday morning gathering where strangers could meet, jump into the lake, and build community.
For many attendees, Frosty Fridays has become a highlight of their week. Olivia Jordan, a Philadelphia-area resident visiting Chicago for a research conference, stumbled upon the event on Instagram and decided to join in. Three friends visiting from Atlanta also rearranged their Friday morning plans to participate.
As the crowd has grown each week, so has the sense of community. Carlos Viramontes, a Gold Coast resident and regular at a similar event, Friday Morning Swim Club, thinks Frosty Fridays has a nice ring to it and may join in next week.
White’s goal for Frosty Fridays is simple: to create a space where people can come, feel welcome, and meet new friends. As the last swimmers climbed onto the concrete and wrapped themselves in towels, White made his rounds, introducing himself to nearly all of the jumpers.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
