While the Beach Boys sang about surfing over the stereo system, a crowd gathered around the 35-degree water in the Leigh Hill Reservoir, which until two days ago, was covered in ice.

That temperature didn’t stop 89 people from leaping, cannonballing and belly flopping into the water during this Saturday’s Polar Plunge.

“We’re freezin’ for a reason, and that reason is the Special Olympics,” the announcer reminded participants before commencing Cedar City’s first annual plunge. With more than double the expected participation, the event raised more than $2,000 for the Special Olympics Utah.

Local government officials led the plunge, as Leisure Services Director and Polar Plunge Organizer Bob Tate, City Manager Ron Chandler, Mayor Joe Burgess and City Councilman Steve Wood took the first leaps into the snow-covered reservoir.

“You know, it was cold,” said Burgess when asked about the water. Burgess and his children, who also plunged, raised over $100.

Many other families and teams took the leap – including City Manager Ron Chandler’s family. Members of the Cedar City Police Department plunged, followed by the Southern Utah University swim team, the Southern Utah University ROTC, staff from Lin’s Marketplace, and a slew of others.

Seven-year-old Kason Bleak was the youngest to plunge, and 72-year-old Ed Eliason the oldest.

Some said they leapt “for bragging rights,” and others said “because I can’t turn down a dare.” Each group raised amounts from $25 to almost $200 to support Summer Olympics.

Tate, draped in a multi-colored towel, distributed “Survivor’s Certificates” to the participants – then leaped into the water again. Several crowd members were inspired by the plungers to sign up and jump in at the last minute.

Although the water was cold, plungers seemed thankful for the clear, sunny afternoon.

“Someone ordered good weather for a good cause,” Burgess said.

The event came together in about 30 days after Tate proposed the idea. Cedar City Police Lt. Darin Adams, who is also involved in the annual Torch Run fundraiser, helped organize it. Thanks to community support and organizations like Cedar City Corporation’s collaboration, he said, the event “went off without a hitch.”

Representatives from Special Olympics said they were thrilled with the turnout.

“Because this was the first year, we were hopeful for 50 plungers,” said Lyn Rees, Special Olympics Utah director of development. She’d traveled from Salt Lake City to help out.

Tate said that, for him, the best part of the day was the number of people who showed up – both spectators and participants.

“People had a great time today,” he said. “ And I think it’ll be even bigger next year.”