Get your swim trunks on and prepare to take a dip.

Swimmers will be freezin’ for a reason at Wednesday’s aptly named Polar Plunge hosted by Brock University in support of Special Olympics Ontario.

The March 1 event, held in partnership with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS), will see a large pool set up in Parking Lot P with plungers, as they’re called, invited to brave the frigid water for a worthy cause.

Funds raised during the event will support the Special Olympics School Championships, which will draw up to 800 high school-aged athletes to Niagara from June 12 to 14 to compete in basketball, bocce, floor hockey, soccer and track and field.

“Brock is proud to partner with Special Olympics Ontario, one of several community organizations the University has built meaningful connections with over time,” said Tom Arkell, Associate Vice-President, University Services.

In addition to hosting the Polar Plunge, the University will be a venue for the June championships, offering its support to the hundreds of young athletes participating from across the province, he said.

While Wednesday’s icy fundraiser may be intimidating for some, Arkell said it’s an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to come together to send winter out the door with a splash — all while making a rewarding community contribution.

Special Olympics committee co-chair Aletta Brown said the hope is that the icy swim will raise at least $15,000 for the championship games, hosted by the NRPS.
Every dollar donated will contribute to running the three-day event, she added.

Special Olympics Ontario, now in its 30th year, provides year-round sports training and athletic competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

“It gives athletes the opportunity to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate,” Brown said.

The organization currently has 22,000 athletes in Ontario, including about 2,000 in Niagara.

“It just keeps getting bigger and better,” she said, adding this is the first year competitions have been opened to athletes outside of Canada.

Brown encouraged people to support the Polar Plunge, as well as several other upcoming Special Olympics fundraisers that will help make the school championships possible.

The minimum pledge amount to plunge is $60 for adults and $25 for students ages 16 and older. Each participant receives a pair of water shoes for the event.

A variety of prizes will be handed out to top fundraisers, those with the most creative costumes and swimmers displaying the most team spirit.

Two NRPS divers will remain inside the pool throughout the plunge to ensure the safety of participants and to aid people in getting in and out of the pool.

The event kicks off at 12:30 p.m. in the Ian D. Beddis Gymnasium before moving outdoors for the swim at 1.

Refreshments will be provided by Tim Hortons.

For more information or to register, visit polarplunge.ca.

Upcoming fundraisers for Special Olympics Ontario

• March 1: Polar Plunge at Brock University. Starts at 12:30 p.m. in the Ian D. Beddis Gymnasium before swimming begins outdoors at 1.
• May 1 to 31: Toonies for Torches. A fundraising campaign taking place across Niagara at various high schools.
• May 6: Muddy Grape Endurance Run at Hernder Estates Wines. For more information, visit the Muddy Grape website.
• May 25 (Tentative): Great Wolf Lodge car wash. Details yet to be announced.