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Join us for our 34th Anniversary Dive!  

The ALARC Charity Ice Dive is an annual event started in 1990. We host the Ice Dive each year to raise money for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation,  the Excelsior Fire and Police Departments for the help they provide to the divers, and to the Tonka Nordic Racing team to help purchase the equipment needed to compete against other high schools. 
​If you would prefer to contribute to our charities and not dive, you can do so here (be sure to select the Donate Only ticket option!).

Jump into Lake Minnetonka to wake you up on New Year's Day! Great Annual Tradition with major bragging rights and contribution to wonderful charities!

schedule


The ALARC Charity and Tonka Nordic Racing Ice Dive will be held in Lake Minnetonka from the shoreline at the public docks in Excelsior at 395 Lake Street right behind the Port of Excelsior.   All registrations will be online - THERE WILL BE NO ON-SITE REIGISTRATION. Online registration will be open until Midnight Central Standard Time on New Year’s Eve.  The event will start at 9:00 am and is expected to finish by 10:30 am.  In order to socially distance all ice divers, please respect the following schedule by Fish Level:  If your group has divers from different levels, please arrive at the time of the most senior diver.

Dive Times:
9:00 – 9:15 Orcas, Sharks
9:15 – 9:30 Barracudas
9:30 – 9:45 Muskies, Northerns, Walleyes
9:45 – 10:15 Minnows, Guppies, First time divers
10:15 – 10:30 Divers that overslept, are habitually late, got lost, or partied too late on New Year's Eve
10:30  -  Last dive of the day!

Due to the warm conditions this year, we are planning on having the dive assuming there is no ice.  We will have floating platforms in very similar locations as previous years.  The divers will jump off one platform and exit out of the water on the other. The planning has included the fire/rescue team to insure a proper and safe Ice Dive.
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event details

​Where to go:
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  • Excelsior Docks, 400 Water Street in Excelsior, MN

    It would be best if someone drives you to the event and takes you home - If you do not have a driver, please park in any open spot where allowed near the docks.

  • Please be mindful of your DIVE TIME to not arrive early and cause any congestion - this is intended to be a “Drive Up, JUMP, and Drive-AWAY” event! 

What to wear when you dive: 
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  • You should wear the clothes you will wear when jumping in, as there are no changing rooms.  With the exception of the need to wear a swimsuit, the less clothes you wear, the better.  Sweatshirts and other cotton items hold the water after the dive, and when hitting cold air, feel much colder!
  • Wear a special costume if you like over your swimsuit - the top two best costumes will be awarded $50 gift certificates!

How the dive works:

  • Once you arrive at the dive site, head to the dive hole where the ALARC Ice Dive staff will guide you through the diving process.
  • When you reach the dive hole, the line should be short. Local firefighters and EMT’s are there to assist you to the other end of the hole.
  • Exit the water, and a volunteer will hand you your towel or bathrobe.

What to bring to the dive hole: 

  • Swimsuit (be wearing it!)
  • Large towel 
  • Bathrobe or blanket 
  • Warm hat or hood and warm clothes to change into after your jump 
  • Old shoes for the dive (no flip-flops!), also a dry pair to wear on the way home. 
  • Bag for your wet clothes

What not to bring to the dive hole: 
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  • Cameras
  • Glasses
  • Any other valuables 

​We will have a professional photographer who will be taking great pictures which can be purchased later for a small fee.
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​Spectators:
  • There is a viewing area close to the Dive Hole so you can see your diver(s) jump into the New Year!
  • To minimize congestion and waiting time, please arrive at Excelsior Docks at the times indicated in the schedule above.

Certificates of Completion will also be emailed to all participants after the Ice Dive!
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Shark/ORCA  Robes

If you are a Barracuda 9, or have completed nine dives as a Shark, and you intend to complete your tenth or twentieth dive on January 1, 2023, to become a Shark or Orca you may be interested in purchasing a beautiful black ALARC Ice Dive Shark Robe or maroon Orca Robe which can be purchased at the same time as registering for the event.  If you have any questions, please contact Harley Feldman here. 
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Costume Contest

The top two best costumes will be awarded $50 gift certificates.
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Photos

John Mallon, our outstanding photographer, will be on hand to take 3-4 photos of every dive group. These pictures can be purchased through John by emailing him at ​[email protected].
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media recognition

Video: Braving the plunge in Lake Minnetonka

Nearly 800 divers plunge into Lake Minnetonka

Video:  2017 ALARC Ice Dive
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Date/Time

January 1, 2024
9:00 am

Location

Dive
Excelsior Public Docks
395 Lake Street
Excelsior, MN 55331
(View map)

registration

Pre-register online: $30.
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Registration is open until 9:00 am on New Year's Day, January 1st..

Divers will also have the option to purchase the 2024 Ice Dive Shirt and/or an Ice Dive Stocking Cap.

questions?

Contact Harley Feldman at [email protected]

What's  your  fish  level?

Excelsior, Minnesota - the Ice Dive Capital of Minnesota!

In April 2014, thanks to Senator Terri Bonoff, Excelsior Minnesota is now the Ice Dive Capital of Minnesota: