{"id":43751,"date":"2017-02-27T12:42:00","date_gmt":"2017-02-27T16:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=43751"},"modified":"2017-02-27T12:43:48","modified_gmt":"2017-02-27T16:43:48","slug":"polar-plunge-to-make-splash-on-campus-for-special-olympics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2017\/02\/polar-plunge-to-make-splash-on-campus-for-special-olympics\/","title":{"rendered":"Polar Plunge to make splash on campus for Special Olympics"},"content":{"rendered":"

Get your swim trunks on and prepare to take a dip.<\/p>\n

Swimmers will be freezin\u2019 for a reason at Wednesday\u2019s aptly named Polar Plunge hosted by Brock University in support of Special Olympics Ontario.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u2019re called, invited to brave the frigid water for a worthy cause.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBrock is proud to partner with Special Olympics Ontario, one of several community organizations the University has built meaningful connections with over time,\u201d said Tom Arkell, Associate Vice-President, University Services.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

While Wednesday’s icy fundraiser may be intimidating for some, Arkell said it\u2019s an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to come together to send winter out the door with a splash \u2014 all while making a rewarding community contribution.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span>
\n<\/span>Every dollar donated will contribute to running the three-day event, she added.<\/span><\/p>\n

Special Olympics Ontario, now in its 30th year, provides year-round sports training and athletic competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt gives athletes the opportunity to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate,\u201d Brown said.<\/span><\/p>\n

The organization currently has 22,000 athletes in Ontario, including about 2,000 in Niagara.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt just keeps getting bigger and better,\u201d she said, adding this is the first year competitions have been opened to athletes outside of Canada.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

A variety of prizes will be handed out to top fundraisers, those with the most creative costumes and swimmers displaying the most team spirit.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

The event kicks off at 12:30 p.m. in the Ian D. Beddis Gymnasium before moving outdoors for the swim at 1.<\/span><\/p>\n

Refreshments will be provided by Tim Hortons.<\/span><\/p>\n

For more information or to register, visit <\/span>polarplunge.ca<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Upcoming fundraisers for Special Olympics Ontario<\/strong><\/p>\n