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A chilly tradition is just a few days away. The annual Polar Bear Challenge at Lucky Peak, where hundreds of Idahoans plunge into the freezing water for a great cause.

One of the event organizers actually works in one of our sales departments. Our brave co-worker not only went out for a dip a few days early, but also went water skiing in freezing temperatures!

Gary Arbaugh told us he's gone out every weekend for the past 15 ½ years, rain or shine. On a scale of 1 to 10, we asked how cold the water was today. "Probably an ‘8’" he said.

Arbaugh said he's not an adrenaline junkie, but enjoys the rush that comes with water skiing in the freezing winter weather. In fact, he’s done it for 821 weeks now.

"My daughter skied with me 176 weeks, before she went to college, my son skied for 345 weeks,” he said, “I feel better afterwards, it wakes me up a bit!"

After water skiing for 15 years straight, Arbaugh said he's still going strong.

As the co-chairman of the Polar Bear Challenge in Idaho, he was also at Lucky Peak to prep for the upcoming event.

He and his close friend will water ski again on Tuesday at the Polar Bear Challenge to raise money for sick children.

Proceeds from the event will go towards the Make-a-Wish Foundation in Idaho, granting wishes to children, who are battling life-threatening illness.

The official plunge starts at 10 a.m. on the spring shores of Lucky Peak on Jan. 1 2013.