2023 Polar Plunge
Be bold. Get cold! Events run Jan. 28-March 4 at multiple 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!
The Polar Plunge is a bucket-list event, challenging individuals and teams to take an icy dip to demonstrate their commitment to the cause. Each of the 15 locations across the state has its own flair. Activities vary and may include a costume contest, 5K race and After Splash Bash where participants can warm up, enjoy refreshments and receive awards for their fundraising efforts.
As Special Olympics Indiana’s signature annual fundraiser, participants need to raise a minimum of $85 for the opportunity to plunge. 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 15,000 Special Olympics athletes throughout the state.
The 2023 season will start on Jan. 28 and continue through March 4, so 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 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.
Plunge 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.
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.
Here’s What it Takes:
- Raise at least $4,000 for Special Olympics athletes across the state
- Plunge at a minimum of two sites, including Indianapolis on March 4
Here’s What you Get:
- Our top fundraising prize, exclusively for Super Plungers
- VIP treatment at our Indy Plunge, including special recognition at the After Splash Bash
- Bragging rights for being a top supporter of Special Olympics Indiana
