Back on June 13, 2020, Dan O’Conor, an artist from Lincoln Square, got up one morning and decided he would cycle down to Lake Michigan and jump in to clear his head.
O’Conor was feeling the stress from a relentless coronavirus storm. COVID-19 had been wreaking havoc. O’Conor had a terrible hangover and with all the chaos happening around the nation, it was too much. So, as you do, Dan grabbed his bike, over two years ago, cycled to the lake, walked along the wall near Montrose Harbor, and jumped in. What began as a spontaneous decision became a daily occurrence and Dan decided he would keep going as long as he could. Days became weeks and weeks became months and now it’s been years and Dan is still at it. When we last updated you, it had officially passed 365th days, marking a one-year milestone. Today, he’s still at it, diving into the lake daily, despite freezing temps or any obstacles. Technically, it’s been 2 years, 7 months, and 24 days since his first plunge in June 2020.
Day 365- Jeff Tweedy #greatlakejumper @civl pic.twitter.com/aZpJrKl4wz
— Great Lake Jumper (@TheRealDtox) June 13, 2021
A while after jumping in Dan O’Conor began documenting his routine on Twitter and social media channels claiming it is “almost meditative” for him. But as he persevered through the freezing Midwest winter, challenges inevitably came his way. According to him, several occasions nearly forced him to break his run. One morning a low-flying helicopter circled a dangerous choppy shore and fire officials were parked at his usual spot. About to turn around a 70-year-old man casually walked over, undressed, and dived in inspiring O’Conor to keep his streak alive.
At first, he had planned to keep his streak going for as long as possible but expected it to draw to a close as the lake began to freeze. Instead, O’Conor kept it up, attesting that it was actually warmer in the lake than out of late on many days of winter, even if he had to break a lot of ice in the process.
Day 250 Lake Michigan. BBQ Bob dropped shovel so I had to chip ice & create a hole with a hammer. You can see my hesitation if the 2021 version of me will safely enter water without my skull & teeth hitting the 1inch thick ice . Success #greatlakejumper . Donate @civlchi pic.twitter.com/CUIPzLhyy5
— Great Lake Jumper (@TheRealDtox) February 18, 2021
As the lake jumping became a daily occurrence Dan began contacting other locals to join him in his routine or perform as he did it. What followed was all manner of artists providing accompanying music whilst Dan plunged in. These ranged from solo acapella performances to full bands with entire drum kits assembled together on the lakeside.
Day 360- thanks to Dunedogs for the serenade soundtrack today @dunedogs_ #greatlakejumper @civlchi pic.twitter.com/h7vtnVQao8
— Great Lake Jumper (@TheRealDtox) June 7, 2021
It’s not the first time Dan O’Conor has been in the news. When Chicago Cubs won the National League Championship Series and World Series back in 2016 Fox cameras gave O’Conor his five minutes of fame. Sporting a hand-stenciled Cubs jacket and a handle-bar mustache the cameras caught O’Conor wagging his index finger to signal the Cubs were one out away from their first World Series title in 108 years. He quickly became a symbol of the Cubs’ wait. His wife claimed he was getting more screen time than John Cusack at the time.
@TheRealDtox I think today would be a good day to post about game 7 mr. mustache. pic.twitter.com/272WMukLiD
— @chouinardphoto@bsky.social (@chouinardphoto) April 24, 2018
Even today after all this time, Dan is still jumping into Lake Michigan, proving that it’s possible to keep a streak going due to pure perseverance. Have a scroll through some of our highlights of Dan O’Conor’s wonderfully documented jump into Lake Michigan:
Tues Jan 24,2023 #LakeMichigan…
28 Degree Air & 35 Degree Water #GreatLakeJumper …
Dedicated to Neil Diamonds 82nd Birthday @NeilDiamond @BarbaraStreis19 @djfrankelee @RedSox Track down “Gold” Live at the Troubadour Album it’s a great document of Neil in his sweaty club roots pic.twitter.com/iKf2sqLDjs— Great Lake Jumper (@TheRealDtox) January 24, 2023
He did break the streak, instead jumping into 41-degree water in Newport, Rhode Island in dedication to his aunt, Madeline Lynch.
Jan 25,2023 Newport,Rhode Island 41 Degree Water/37 Degree Air #GreatLakeJumper …#NewportHarborJumper …
Dedicated to Aunt Madeline Lynch pic.twitter.com/N2qyS4QD5H— Great Lake Jumper (@TheRealDtox) January 25, 2023
Monday January 24,2023 #Chicago 24 Degree Air/34 Degree Water …#GreatLakeJumper …
So great to get a rock band out to the lake at 7am .. thanks to Neal Frances, Kellen Boersma & Collin O’Brien @thenealfrancis pic.twitter.com/IcaDxbZGNf— Great Lake Jumper (@TheRealDtox) January 23, 2023
Rough & Ready to take on Lake Michigan- 44 Air/ 47 Water #day155 #chicago #lakemichigan pic.twitter.com/FxzgBoKQS6
— Great Lake Jumper (@TheRealDtox) November 14, 2020
Day 253. Nice ice pile up at the ladder, hacked a hole with the shovel and lowered myself into Lake Michigan while being serenaded by @AIR_CREDITS #greatlakejumper check out & support @civlchi pic.twitter.com/AkyKInoMkk
— Great Lake Jumper (@TheRealDtox) February 21, 2021
https://twitter.com/TheRealDtox/status/1366142272262328320
Day 264 Air 47/Water 34 Fullerton still has nice ice/snow mounds to launch from. The Hard Stop’s @ShagLounge with tasty original “Again” #greatlakejumper #chicago #lakemichigan Support @civlchi & listen to @NnamdisWorld @CupcakKe_rapper @DEEPERCHI @judeshuma #drivetodivefor365 pic.twitter.com/4FpMLtoohi
— Great Lake Jumper (@TheRealDtox) March 3, 2021
Bad at Math , it was day 279 https://t.co/odT1eR8cUo
— Great Lake Jumper (@TheRealDtox) March 18, 2021
Day 291-Sam Hyson on fiddle “ Water Song” #greatlakejumper @civlchi pic.twitter.com/U96IT7i5A0
— Great Lake Jumper (@TheRealDtox) March 30, 2021
Day 301- sweet to catch up with Moontype @Moontypo and hear “Ferry” off their new album “Bodies of Water” …
Explore & donate to @civlchi so we will have stages for budding talents like Moontype to play …#greatlakejumper pic.twitter.com/DsrxlLw18k— Great Lake Jumper (@TheRealDtox) April 9, 2021
Day 310- 49 Air/41 Water . Super pumped for the Sunday Saxophone Serenade from Bruce Lamont . Derick”crawling on the deck” Smith ace photos on today’s 4 jumps ! …
We are getting closer to venues reopening, please stay safe & support @civlchi #greatlakejumper pic.twitter.com/0Cj2VHXncy— Great Lake Jumper (@TheRealDtox) April 18, 2021
Day 327 -55 Air/44 Water …
Been Through @bySamuelAaron Samuel Aaron & Friends…
Support @civlchi …#greatlakejumper pic.twitter.com/MiE2EmU7kE— Great Lake Jumper (@TheRealDtox) May 5, 2021
Day 334-58 Air: 44 Water…
First pedal steel at Lakefront sweet original “my x lovers new lover” by Handsome Man’s Gentleman’s Club @ConnollyColeman on video/audio please support @civlchi #greatlakejumper pic.twitter.com/vD97VYdhF6— Great Lake Jumper (@TheRealDtox) May 12, 2021
Day 353- extra special day with BandwithChicago- Hope JR Drumline @ConnollyColeman on video …
Please support @civl …#greatlakejumper #drivetodivefor365 pic.twitter.com/ku82bkLyTO— Great Lake Jumper (@TheRealDtox) May 31, 2021
[Featured image: Twitter @TheRealDtox]