Polar Plunge Makes Adaptions Due to Safety Concerns But Carries On

DULUTH, Minn.– Last-minute safety concerns called for a slight change in plans for this year’s Polar Plunge, but it didn’t affect the morale of the participants.

“I would call this plan B where we ended up over here behind me but it was probably plan G,” said Jeremy O’Connor, Duluth Polar Plunge Committee Member.  “So we just had a lot of things come up and last night some ice shifted and where we expected to jump today didn’t turn out to be the perfect spot. So due to some safety concerns, we switched and it’s working out great over there, we were going to figure it out, we always know how to adapt, yeah it worked out.”

Police Departments across the state partner with Special Olympics Minnesota to host the biggest fundraiser for Special Olympic athletes. There are over 20 Polar Plunge events statewide all dedicated to supporting the athletes.

“Raising that money for Special Olympics Minnesota, a lot of people are leaving here with smiles on their faces, whether they’re a spectator or they’re jumping in the water plunging themselves, you can hear people in the background, screaming, having fun, it’s a good time,” said O’Connor.

I talked to a group of jumpers with Phi Sigma Sigma, a sorority in Duluth. Before they hit the water, there was excitement, but also some nerves.

‘Are you guys nervous at all?’ “Yeah, she’s from Texas, this is her first Minnesota Winter,” said a member of Phi Sigma Sigma.

The group raised just over $3,000 to support Special Olympic athletes.

“We are doing this as a fun bonding activity for us and all of our sisters. As well as a nice fundraising opportunity for Special Olympics Minnesota,” said a member of Phi Sigma Sigma.

Over 650 people are signed up to take a chilly dip into the Superior Bay. Each plunger raises a minimum of $75 to participate, over the years the Duluth Plunge has raised nearly $3 million.

Many students at the College of Saint Scholastica took the cold leap. The college raised $5000. It was many of the student’s first time taking the plunge, and they let me know that it was really-really cold.

“I can’t feel my toes.”

“Oh my god, it’s cold.”

“I think I blacked out for like a minute for sure, really cold.”

Many people are excited before the jump, but everyone reacts differently when they hit the water.

“The first thing you’re looking for is how to get out of that water as fast as possible. And once you get on shore, you’re kind of celebrating, looking behind you and then cheering on the people plunging after that, change right after that and you’re good,” said O’Connor.

This year the Duluth Plunge raised around $135,000 to support Special Olympic Athletes.