A Year of Courage: Two Teenagers Take on the Cold Waters of Lake Tahoe
In the heart of winter, Lake Tahoe transforms into a landscape of snow, wind, and icy air. While this environment is ideal for skiers and snowboarders, it presents a unique challenge for Dane Gaffney and Anders Koijane, two teenagers from the Tahoe area who have committed to swimming in the lake’s frigid waters every day for an entire year.
The challenge began last September, with Gaffney and Koijane documenting their daily swims on Gaffney’s Instagram page. Their journey has been anything but easy, as they’ve faced extreme weather conditions, including snowstorms, and the physical toll of plunging into cold water repeatedly.
One memorable video from January captures the pair swimming amidst a snowstorm. Before jumping in, Koijane delivers a deadpan comment about the weather, saying, “Another perfect day to jump in the lake.” It was just one of many chilly experiences that defined their commitment.
Gaffney and Koijane have been friends since elementary school and now play on the same basketball team. Their casual swims at the marina in Tahoe City eventually led to the idea of a yearlong challenge. “We just kind of decided, ‘Hey, why not just make it a challenge?'” Gaffney said. From there, they filmed their first video, uploaded it, and never looked back.
The Journey So Far
Throughout their year-long adventure, Gaffney and Koijane have been joined by friends, local residents, and even Gaffney’s father, Scott Gaffney, a renowned ski filmmaker. His appearances in the videos added a special touch to the project.
They also managed to get a cameo from actor and comedian Tony Cavalero, known for his role inThe Righteous Gemstones. This unexpected addition was made possible through Scott’s connections in the filmmaking industry. Cavalero’s appearance included tearing his shirt off on the dock before leaping into the water with Scott.
However, not all of their swims were accompanied by friends or celebrities. Koijane, who prefers to finish school, go home, and eat before basketball practice, often used his neighbor’s pier or another beach rather than joining Gaffney and Scott at the marina. He would send Gaffney his solitary swimming videos to be included in the Instagram posts, while Gaffney sent texts to keep him accountable.
“I knew Dane was going to do it every day, because he was really adamant about this,” Koijane said. “I would always forget, so I’d be jumping in at like midnight, barely before the next day.”
Challenges and Rewards
Both Gaffney and Koijane described their experiences differently. Gaffney noted that having his dad around made the experience easier, especially on days when he questioned why he was about to jump in. “There were definitely a few days where we would drive down to the lake and I would just be like, ‘Why am I really about to go jump in right now?’ But I think definitely having my dad there made it a lot easier for me,” he said.
Koijane, on the other hand, found the challenge harder than expected, particularly when it was cold, cloudy, or he was alone. Their rule for missed days added an extra layer of difficulty. When they had to leave Lake Tahoe for basketball games or other commitments, they would dive in multiple times in a row upon returning, accounting for every missed day.
At times during the colder months, the lake’s water temperature dipped below 40 degrees. “Once you jump in once, it’s okay, but that second time, it just triples in intensity of how cold you are, and your brain just stops functioning,” Koijane said.
A Celebration of Commitment
To conclude their effort, Gaffney and Koijane invited those who had been following along online to join them on their second-to-last day, September 21, 2025. The video from that celebration starts with the pair standing together on the edge of a dock, then pans to show the cheering crowd of people who came out to swim and show their support.
“That was great to have that many people experience what we were experiencing all summer and the whole year,” said Koijane.
When we spoke a few days after the challenge ended, Koijane expressed that despite the suffering, he would miss watching Gaffney’s video recaps. Gaffney, for his part, was relieved that he didn’t have to visit the water’s edge every day anymore. However, he still carries a lingering habit from their daily routine. “I’ll be in my room, it’s like, nine o’clock, and I’ll think, ‘Oh, wait, I haven’t jumped in yet,’” he said.
Conclusion
Gaffney and Koijane’s journey has been a testament to perseverance, friendship, and the spirit of adventure. Their commitment to swimming in Lake Tahoe’s icy waters every day for a year has inspired many, proving that with determination and support, even the most challenging goals can be achieved.
