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General Info | Shuttles & Parking | Awards | FAQ's | Entertainment

General Info

The Special Olympics Virginia Polar Plunge dates back to 1993. Virginia's Adventure Club East was looking for something fun and "extreme" to do in the middle of winter. Coincidentally, Special Olympics Virginia was looking for new fundraising avenues. Soon, the two pieces came together. That first plunge, held at the Clarion Hotel, featured all of about 34 plungers and still raised almost $8,000.

In comparison, last year, the 15th annual Polar Plunge raised more than $800,000 for Special Olympics Virginia and more than 3,500 chilled souls took the plunge. Because of this generous support, Special Olympics Virginia is able to provide year-round training and sports programs for both children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout the state of Virginia.

This year, help us reach our one million dollar Plunge fundraising goal and sign up to plunge today!

Shuttles & Parking

There is on-street parking, as well as the City Garage, which is located on 9th Street. We also will offer free shuttle bus service from the municipal lot at 19th Street and Pacific Avenue. Shuttle buses from both lots will drop plungers and spectators off at 8th and Atlantic.

Awards

Awards will be given in the following categories so get your competitive side in gear!

* Person raising the most money
* Team raising the most money in each division
* Team with the most plungers

Team Divisions

* Costume Contests

This year, thanks to the support of Mega Office Furniture, all teams also are invited to participate in the EXTREME TEAM challenge. The team who raises the most money online through the team's Firstgiving.com Web site will be awarded with a $5,000 gift certificate to Mega Office Furniture. The team with the 2nd highest online fundraising total will receive a $1,000 gift certificate to The Supply Room. The deadline for contributions to be considered for the Extreme Team Challenge is 5pm Friday, Feb. 1, 2008. Note that any donations received after 5pm still count toward individual incentives.

Costume contest winners will be announced at the conclusion of the contest. The winners of the Mega Office Furniture Extreme Team Challenge and the individual who raised the most money will be announced just prior to the plunge. All other team awards will be posted on the Plunge Web site by Sunday morning so we can ensure the accuracy of the money count.

** Anyone entering the costume contest must be on time (registered and in the Big Tent by 1 p.m.) and costumes should not be offensive or inappropriate. This is a family event and we ask that everyone act appropriately for the family and community members in attendance. **

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are our most frequently asked questions regarding the Polar Plunge. If your question is not answered below, please click here to submit a for more information and someone will get back to you promptly.

How many Polar Plunges have there been?
Special Olympics Virginia's first plunge was in 1993, which makes the upcoming plunge Polar Plunge XVI! Through the years, the Polar Plunge has raised more than $3 million for Special Olympics Virginia, with more than 20,000 chilled souls taking the plunge! Last year alone, more than 3,500 plungers braved the water, raising more than $800,000! This year, help us reach our one million dollar Plunge fundraising goal and sign up to plunge today!

Who can plunge?
Anyone can plunge -- young and old. If you are under 18, your parent or guardian will need to sign your waiver form.

How do I register for the Polar Plunge?
You must complete our registration form. Forms can be downloaded on the Plunge site (under the Register link), or you can pick up a brochure and bring it with your donation to either pre-registration or Plunge Day registration.

What's the minimum donation required?
$100 in donations allows you the honor and privilege of plunging with the thousands of other plungers -- it also will get you a nifty sweatshirt and some other goodies (and of course, plunger bragging rights!). For $250 you’ll receive the new Polar Plunge Towel in addition to the sweatshirt and various goodies. Donations of $600 will get you the sweatshirt, towel, and a free room at one of our Plunger Friendly Hotels either Feb. 1 or 2. Donations of $1,000 get you all the above, plus the Bronze Club Incentive: an embroidered messenger bag. Donations of $1,500 get you all the above, plus the Silver Club Incentive: a woven afghan with the 2008 Plunge design. Donations of $2,500 get you all of the above plus the Gold Club Incentive: an embroidered cold weather parka or a second hotel voucher.

When is the Plunge?
The 2008 Polar Plunge is on Feb 2, 2008. The festival area opens at 10am with the actual plunge happening at 2:30pm.

What happens if there is bad weather?
The plunge will happen as long as it is safe for the plungers. Unfortunately, we are unable to schedule a rain date should it be "polar-like." If we are forces to cancel, we hope you will still turn in your donations. We will give you your incentives, too!

Where will the plunge be held?
Polar Plunge XVI will be held on the Atlantic Ocean beach between 6th and 9th Streets in Virginia Beach, VA.

What IS the actual plunge?
The "plunge" happens when all the plungers race into (and then frolic in) the Atlantic Ocean, and within a safety perimeter established by EMS dive team members from around the state. Plungers set their own personal goals of how deep to go and how long they want to stay in (within the limits established by the EMS divers). Some plungers only get their ankles wet; others stay in and play until the dive members make them leave the water. Diving into the shallow ocean water is prohibited and going completely underwater is discouraged since it makes it harder for the divers to determine individuals in distress.

Why have a safety perimeter with divers?
Polar Plunge has always used EMS, Police and Navy dive teams from around the state to keep the plungers safe. Our event is a fun and wacky event, but there is some risk from the water being so cold, and winter storms also can raise the water currents. These highly trained individuals consider air and water temperature, current strengths, the amount of debris in the water, and other surf conditions to decide both a maximum time plungers are allowed to stay in the water, as well as how deep plungers can go. For 15 years, these expert divers have kept all the plungers safe and this year will be no exception.

How does the plunge occur?
Just prior to the actual plunge, all the wacky, crazy and really excited plungers enter the plunger-only area. This is a fenced off area on the beach with the starting line that only plungers are allowed into. A safety briefing by our water rescue dive team supervisor will remind you how to plunge safely. Once the briefing is over, we will give our Special Olympians the opportunity to take the PLUNGE! For their safety, we will ask that everyone else hold back until they can get safely out of the water. Then, weather permitting, an unmistaken signal from above will give plungers the sign that it is time to take off!! How deep you go and how long you stay in are up to you as long as you are following the direction of the EMS team. We ask that you enter the water from the south end of the plunge area and return to the beach on the north side of the plunge area. Eventually, the dive team will escort the remaining plungers out of the water (there are always some who try to stay in the longest!).

I want to stay overnight! Are there special room rates?
Yes! Ramada Inn on the Beach, Quality Inn, Turtle Cay, Barclay Towers, Newcastle Inn, and Clarion Beach Quarters are extending special room rates to all polar plungers. To get all the details about room rates and how to make reservations, click here. Be absolutely sure to mention that you want a room in the Polar Plunge Room Block to get the special room rate.

We want to sign up as a team. How do we do that?
We love teams! It's not complicated and more team information can be found here.

What if I'm cold or get cold easily?
We have full emergency crews, ambulances, search and rescue, and dive teams on site during the event. Members from area dive teams enter the water at plunge time to make sure everyone stays safe. Besides, the water is generally a balmy 38 degrees, who can get cold in that?!

I'm bringing my family and friends to watch me plunge. Where can I park?
Bring out your family, friends and coworkers to see you plunge! If you're not plunging yourself, just come out and watch all the frigid fun! There is plenty of parking available in the 9th street parking garage (entrance is off 9th, between Atlantic and Pacific Avenues). We also will have free shuttles that run from the municipal lot at 19th Street. There is no fee to view the Plunge. There is a $5 donation for access in to the heated tent and festival area on the beach.

Will there be food and beverages available?
Yes. This is a Winter Festival after all! And there are LOTS of Food and beverages.

Where can I change before and after the plunge?
We will have a male and female changing tent so if you are not too modest, you will have a breeze free place to change into or out of your suit.

I can't collect all my pledges before the plunge, what do I do?
We can only register you for the amount of donations you bring with you to the plunge. Separate checks are OK and should be made payable to Special Olympics Virginia. If you get donations in after the plunge, you can mail them to Special Olympics Virginia Polar Plunge, 184 Business Park Drive, Suite 202, Virginia Beach, VA 23462. Print your pledge/donation form here.

Do I have to plunge or can I help out in other ways?
Our plunge is highly successful due to both the large number of plungers and our great volunteers. If you simply want to volunteer your time to help out, please complete our volunteer Sign-up form.

Some veteran plunger tips:

• Wear something on your feet. The sand is incredibly cold.
• Find a good plunge buddy and stay with them the entire time in the Plunger Area and in the water.
• Bring a sweat suit to throw on right away when you're done.
• Make it a weekend and get a hotel room. It's fun to party at the plunge and that hot shower feels soooo good afterwards.
• Please wait until after you plunge to indulge in adult beverages!
• Pair up with a friend who also raises $600 for the hotel voucher to get one hotel room. One can stay Friday night, one can stay Saturday night, and all can enjoy that shower without check-out/in worries!