2023 Polar Plunge
Be bold. Get cold! Events run Jan. 28-March 4 at 15 different locations.
Jumping into freezing water in the middle of winter may seem ridiculous, but for the past 24 years, thousands of people have braved the elements to support Special Olympics Indiana’s athletes during this signature annual fundraiser!
As Special Olympics Indiana’s signature annual fundraiser, participants need to raise a minimum of $85 for the opportunity to plunge at one of the 15 different locations across the state. Not only is this an exhilarating experience you’ll never forget, it’s also an incredible way to make a difference in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. All proceeds directly support training and competition opportunities for the nearly 16,000 Special Olympics athletes throughout the state.
Find a location near you and start fundraising to earn cool prizes!
2023 Polar Plunge Calendar
Jan. 28 — Indianapolis
- Event-Day Registration: 9-10:30 a.m., Butler University Health & Recreation Complex
- Plunge: 11 a.m., Butler University Health & Recreation Complex Lawn
- After Splash Bash: Health & Recreation Complex
Feb. 3 — Boonville (High School Plunge)
- Registration: 8:30-10 a.m. CT, Scales Lake Beach
- Plunge: 10:30 a.m., Scales Lake Beach
Feb. 4 — Boonville
- Registration: 10:30-11:30 a.m. CT, Boonville High School Cafeteria
- Plunge: noon CT, Scales Lake Beach
- After Splash Bash: Boonville High School Cafeteria
Feb. 4 — Greenwood
- Registration: 9-10:30 a.m., Dye’s Walk Country Club clubhouse
- Plunge: 11 a.m., Dye’s Walk lawn
- After Splash Bash: Dye’s Walk Country Club
Feb. 11 — Fort Wayne
- Registration: 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Metea County Park Nature Center
- Plunge: 11 a.m., Metea County Park lake
- After Splash Bash: Metea County Park
Feb. 11 — Bloomington
- Registration: 4-5 p.m., Switchyard Park Pavilion
- Plunge: 5:30 p.m., Switchyard Park
Feb. 11 — Borden
- Registration: 10-11:30 a.m., Deam Lake beach house
- Plunge: noon, Deam Lake
Feb. 11 — West Lafayette
- Registration: 9:30-10:30 a.m., Purdue University Lambert Fieldhouse
- Plunge: 11 a.m., Lambert Fieldhouse (outside)
- After Splash Bash: Lambert Fieldhouse
Feb. 18 — North Manchester
- Registration: 10:30-11:30 a.m., Physical Education & Recreation Center (PERC) auxiliary gym
- Plunge: noon, PERC lawn
- After Splash Bash: PERC auxiliary gym
Feb. 18 — Versailles
- Registration: noon-1:30 p.m., Versailles State Park boat ramp
- Plunge: 2 p.m., Versailles State Park lake
- After Splash Bash: Versailles State Park
Feb. 25 — Terre Haute
- Registration: 10:30-11:30 a.m., Indiana State Univ. Student Recreation Center
- Plunge: noon, Student Recreation Center sun deck
- After Splash Bash: Student Recreation Center
Feb. 25 — Muncie
- Registration: 10:30-11:30 a.m., Ball State Univ. Whitinger Business Building
- Plunge: noon, University Green
Feb. 25 — Petersburg
- Registration: 10-11:30 a.m., Prides Creek Golf Course clubhouse
- Plunge: noon, Prides Creek Park beach
- After Splash Bash: Petersburg Community Church
Feb. 25 — South Bend
- Registration: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Four Winds Field Stadium Club
- Plunge: noon, Four Winds Field concourse
- After Splash Bash: Four Winds Field Stadium Club
Feb 25 — Valparaiso
- Registration: 8:30-9:30 a.m. CT, Valparaiso Univ. Athletic Recreation Center (ARC)
- Plunge: 10 a.m. CT, ARC
- After Splash Bash: Hill Top Gym
March 2 — Indianapolis (High School Plunge)
- Registration: 8:30-10 a.m., Eagle Creek Beach
- Plunge: 10:30 a.m., Eagle Creek Beach
March 3 — Indianapolis (High School Plunge)
- Registration: 8:30-10 a.m., Eagle Creek Beach
- Plunge: 10:30 a.m., Eagle Creek Beach
March 4 — Indianapolis
- Registration: 8-11 a.m., Eagle Creek Beach
- Plunge: 9 a.m. (early bird) and 11 a.m., Eagle Creek Beach
- After Splash Bash: Rick’s Café Boatyard
Three Easy Steps to Join the Fun!
STEP 1: Commit!
Choose a location close to you, register online and commit to plunging either in person or virtually. Don’t plunge alone — get your friends, family, and co-workers involved, too.
STEP 2: Fundraise!
Share the link to your personal fundraising page and collect donations from people in your community.
STEP 3: Take the Plunge!
On the day of your chosen Polar Plunge event, bring your signed liability waiver, pledge form and/or a copy of your online pledges, and all offline donations. And have a great time!
Rules:
- Participants must raise a “bear” minimum of $85 for Special Olympics Indiana. Additional Plunge Prizes and incentives are available for those who go above and beyond.
- All participants must complete and submit a 2023 Polar Plunge Release & Waiver of Liability.
- Plungers must be at least 12 years old on event day to enter the water. Those under the age of 18 must have a signature from a parent or guardian.
Need More Information?
Call us at 317-328-2000 or contact Scott Furnish with any questions.
Polar Plunge Virtual Run
Be bold. Get cold. And go the extra mile this winter! The 2023 Polar Plunge Virtual Run is a fun, alternative way to raise money to support Special Olympics Indiana athletes.
Open to runners and walkers of all abilities, the virtual run challenges you to complete a 5K or 10K whenever and wherever you choose during this year‘s Polar Plunge season — now through March 31. Record your time and compete to be the fastest finisher.
All virtual run participants who raise a minimum of $85 will receive an official Polar Plunge Virtual Run medal! Plus, you‘ll be eligible to earn the same prizes as our Polar Plungers. All prizes will be mailed.
Plunge Prizes
The more you raise, the more we all win! All plungers who raise the $85 minimum will receive an official Polar Plunge long-sleeve T-shirt on the day of your event. Plus, preview the additional fundraising prizes available this year.
Become a Super Plunger!
Only for the bravest souls with the warmest hearts, Super Plungers dare to go above and beyond to support Special Olympics Indiana.
To become a Super Plunger, you need to raise a minimum of $4,000 and Plunge at a minimum of two sites, including Indianapolis on March 4.
Not only will you earn bragging rights as one of Special Olympics Indiana’s top supporters, Super Plungers will also enjoy the VIP treatment at our Indy Plunge and receive the top fundraising prize — the baseball-themed Plunge jersey.
Compete for Additional Awards
Special awards are given at each plunge in the following categories:
- Best costume
- Most money raised by an individual
- Most money raised by a team
Knights of Columbus District Challenge
- District with most plungers overall
- District with most funds raised overall.
Polar Plunge Newsletter
Sign up to receive updates to your email inbox during Polar Plunge season.