Chicago man jumps into Lake Michigan for 365th straight day
3 min read
Dan O’Conor, the “Great Lake Jumper,” makes his 365th leap into Lake Michigan, Saturday, June 12, 2021, in Chicago’s Montrose Place. (AP Photograph/Shafkat Anowar)
CHICAGO (AP) — A Chicago bus driver wanting for a way to decrease tension during the coronavirus pandemic jumped into Lake Michigan for a 365th straight working day on Saturday.
Dan O’Conor stated he begun jumping into the lake at Montrose Harbor on the city’s North Side final yr to relieve pressure.
“It was all through the pandemic, it was all through the protest, it was in the course of an election calendar year. … So it was somewhere where by I could arrive down in this article and block all that noise out and type of be thoroughly current with me in the lake, and uncover some times of Zen,” stated the father of 3.
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Dan O’Connor grabs a bite for his breakfast right before exiting his house for his 365th plunge into Lake Michigan, Saturday, June 12, 2021, in Chicago’s Lincoln Park. (AP Photograph/Shafkat Anowar) -
Dan O’Connor designs his mustache ahead of exiting his home for his 365th plunge into Lake Michigan, Saturday, June 12, 2021, in Chicago’s Lincoln Park. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar) -
Dan O’Conor stretches his leg owing to minimal knee agony ahead of his 365th plunge into Lake Michigan, Saturday, June 12, 2021, at his home in Chicago’s Lincoln Park. (AP Picture/Shafkat Anowar) -
Dan O’Connor finishes spraying a exclusive layout looking at “Dive 4 365” on a robe prior to exiting his home for his 365th plunge into Lake Michigan, Saturday, June 12, 2021, in Chicago’s Lincoln Park. (AP Image/Shafkat Anowar) -
Dan O’Conor, the “Great Lake Jumper,” would make his way as a result of a tunnel for his 365th leap into Lake Michigan, Saturday, June 12, 2021, in Chicago’s Montrose Place. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar) -
Dan O’Conor, the “Great Lake Jumper,” performs a can-opener dive on his 363rd leap as he nears his 365th consecutive each day plunge into Lake Michigan, Thursday, June 10, 2021, in Chicago’s Montrose Issue. (AP Photograph/Shafkat Anowar) -
Dan O’Conor, the “Great Lake Jumper,” shares a “High-5” with one particular of his nicely-wishers immediately after his 365th leap into Lake Michigan, Saturday, June 12, 2021, in Chicago’s Montrose Point. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar) -
Dan O’Conor, the “Great Lake Jumper,” can make his 365th leap into Lake Michigan, Saturday, June 12, 2021, in Chicago’s Montrose Level. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar) -
Dan O’Conor and his wife Margaret O’Conor shares a kiss ahead of heading out for his 365th plunge into Lake Michigan, Saturday, June 12, 2021, at his property in Chicago’s Lincoln Park. (AP Picture/Shafkat Anowar) -
Dan O’Conor, the “Great Lake Jumper,” reacts after producing his 365th leap into Lake Michigan, Saturday, June 12, 2021, in Chicago’s Montrose Level. (AP Photograph/Shafkat Anowar)
He continued jumping into the lake by way of the tumble prior to the tricky element: Hacking a gap in the ice on the frozen lake that was massive plenty of for him to leap by means of for the duration of the wintertime. He said when he obtained home just after just one these kinds of bounce, he uncovered about 20 scrapes and cuts on his entire body.
He was inspired by the response he got for his endeavor.
“People commenced inquiring me what this was benefiting and how they could aid — and when I say persons, I’m speaking strangers on-line, you know. When I begun publishing the films on Twitter and Instagram … I obtained a lot more wind in my sails there since individuals started out commenting like, ‘This helps make my working day, it’s awesome to see this,” he said.
Saturday was unique simply because it was the culmination of doing it for a complete year.
“I just wished to celebrate just that travel to dive for 365,” O’Conor explained.
