Guernsey Press

US bus driver makes online splash after jumping into lake for 365th day

Dan O’Conor said he started jumping into the Lake Michigan to relieve stress.

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A Chicago bus driver looking for a way to relieve stress during the coronavirus pandemic has jumped into Lake Michigan for a 365th straight day.

Dan O’Conor said he started jumping into the lake at Montrose Harbour on the city’s North Side last year to relieve stress.

“It was during the pandemic, it was during the protest, it was during an election year. So it was somewhere where I could come down here and block all that noise out and kind of be totally present with me in the lake, and find some moments of Zen,” said the father of three.

Virus Outbreak Great Lake Jumper
Dan O’Conor celebrates after making his 365th leap (Shafkat Anowar/AP)

He said when he got home after one such jump, he found about 20 scrapes and cuts on his body.

He was encouraged by the response he got for his undertaking.

“People started asking me what this was benefitting and how they could support — and when I say people, I’m talking strangers online, you know.

Virus Outbreak Great Lake Jumper
Mr O’Conor makes his way through a tunnel of supporters (Shafkat Anowar/AP)

Saturday was special because it was the culmination of doing it for a full year, he said.

“I just wanted to celebrate just that drive to dive for 365,” Mr O’Conor said.

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