How this Maple Ridge man inspired dozens to plunge into frigid water every week

Jake Johnston packed the car with towels and a change of clothes, hoping to try something new.

On a whim, Johnston, a Realtor based in Maple Ridge, and two friends drove up to Alouette Lake in late-2023 for a cold plunge, a growing health trend where people immerse themselves in icy water for a few seconds to over 10 minutes.

Days before the plunge, Johnston told his friends about the potential health benefits and they decided to give the trend a try. At the lake, on a cold winter day, they stripped to their bathing suits and walked into the water together. 

“It was so fricking cold,” Johnston said of the first plunge, which lasted maybe 30 seconds.

“We were just screaming like little girls.”

Cold plunges are not new to the region. For years, cities across the Lower Mainland — including Maple Ridge — have held annual ‘polar bear swims’ on New Year’s Day, and the City of Vancouver recently said it’s warming up to the idea of regulating cold plunges throughout the year.

But since his first plunge in Alouette Lake, Johnston has made cold plunges a weekly event in Maple Ridge.

Late last year, he launched a Facebook group to bring a like-minded group of year-round, icy water enthusiasts together. It’s been a big bonding experience for many people, he said. Oftentimes, strangers will meet for the first time and share a laugh a few minutes later.

“People show up, everyone’s getting into the morning, but as soon as everyone hits the water, there’s laughing, joking,” Johnston said. “It’s hilarious to see the change in everyone’s mood almost instantly.”

Since the beginning of January, anywhere from half a dozen to more than 40 people have participated in his plunges at Davidson’s Pool South, a park next to the Alouette River. Each plunge includes a fire, coffee, and a tent for shelter. Sometimes, Johnston organizes a mobile sauna for people to use for a fee, which partially goes towards supporting local shelters.

Although the first plunge was sparsely attended, he said word of mouth spread and the group experienced an exponential level of growth, reaching more than 620 members as of the end of February.  

The dramatic rise can be attributed to the growing popularity of cold plunges, Johnston said. But he’s noticed, especially in Maple Ridge, where access to nature is relatively easy, most people just want to spend time outside.

“It’s super peaceful when you get out there in the morning, you have the river running, birds flying around,” Johnston said. “It’s just a fun morning out in nature.”

Cold plunges are proven to raise noradrenaline and dopamine, two hormones that are commonly associated with pleasure. Plunges also raise blood circulation, which could explain why positive hormones course through the body more frequently in a plunge and lead to euphoric feelings. 

Johnston doesn’t know the exact science behind cold plunging. But he says most people — including himself — are smiling and laughing when they come out of the water, despite having some reservations about getting in minutes before.

“It’s not really a fun thing to do. I’ll be honest with you, there were a couple mornings where I was like, ‘Damn, why did I start this group?’” Johnston said. He noted that the plunge is such a shock to the system, perhaps an addictive one, that gives most folks a sense of accomplishment afterwards.

“Even in those times, I get out and you’re happy you did it,” he said.

Josh Geyer, a Maple Ridge resident who runs a YouTube channel dedicated to cold plunging, has taken an icy dip for nearly 200 consecutive days. The plunges have strengthened his willpower, helping him cut certain substances out of his life.

“I was on a medication for over 20 years that I wanted to get off and couldn’t. Since starting cold plunging, I’ve gotten off,” said Geyer, who is a weekly member at Johnston’s cold plunges.

“What Jake has done is awesome. I’m so glad to be part of the community he’s built, and I strongly suggest anyone who wants to give it a try, they won’t regret it,” Geyer said.  

He thinks that most people get hooked on plunging for the euphoric feelings after a dip, and the mental challenge it presents. Not everyone wants to climb a mountain or go to the gym, but cold plunges allow all kinds of residents to try and get the mental strength to stay in the water for a longer period of time.

Longer days and warm weather may be on the horizon, but Johnston envisions the weekly dips continuing into the summer. He may have shared his passion with hundreds of locals, but Johnston knows when it’s his time to leave the water.

“I try to set the same pace every weekend so people don’t give me a hard time,” he said.

“I’m in for three minutes and then I’m out.”