General Information -- Shuttles & Parking -- Awards -- FAQ's -- Safety
This is Special Olympics West Virginia's sixth year to have "The Plunge". Other states in the area have ran this benefit with great support for their states. We know how supportive West Virginians are so we are making this an annual event.
There will not be a shuttle bus running this year.
Everyone who takes part in the Polar Plunge will earn incentives based on the amount of the contribution.
$50 Participation in the plunge and t-shirt
$200 Towel along with plunge and t-shirt
$350 Fleece along with towel, t-shirt and a chilling plunge
$500 A gift certificate for dinner at a local restaurant along with a fleece, towel, and t-shirt.
To qualify for awards and prizes all contributions must be turned in by 1:30 pm on the day of the Plunge.
Individual (most money raised) -- receive a weekend get-away
Team of 4 (most money raised) -- receive a weekend get-away
Costume Contest (Individual and Team) -- receive a weekend get-away
Mega Team 5+ with money over $2000 -- a wonderful Plunge Plaque
Incentives will be given at the Plunge site. Stay after the plunge and enjoy great food, fun and beverages while you wait for the totals to be calculated. The awards and prizes will be given out at Star City Park as soon as the totals are calculated.
Below are our most frequently asked questions regarding the Polar Plunge. If your question is not shown below, please feel free to give us a call at 800-926-1616, between 8:30am and 4:30pm.
Who can plunge?
Anyone can plunge- young and old. If you are under 18, your parents will need to
sign your release form.
How do I go about registering for the Polar Plunge?
Step one would be to complete our pledge form, To register you need to register
online or download
the form or pick up a brochure and bring it with your donation to either
pre-registration or Plunge Day registration.
What's the minimum donation required?
$50 in donations allows you the honor and privilege of plunging with the other plungers and will get you a nifty T-shirt, as well as some basic bragging rights. For
$200 in donations you'll
receive the highly coveted Polar Plunge Towel in addition to the T-shirt.
Then for $350, you'll receive a Fleece Jacket as well as a towel and
t-shirt. Donations of $500 will get you the t-shirt, the towel, fleece
jacket and a gift certificate for dinner at a local restaurant.
When is the Plunge?
The plunge is on February 13, 2010. Registration begins at 12:00 noon and
the plunging will begin at 2:00 pm.
Where will the plunge be held?
Polar Plunge VI is being held at Star City Park located along the Monongahela
River in Star City, WV. Follow University Avenue to the river and you will
run right into Star City Park beside 84 Lumber, the rail trail and the Community
Build Playground.
What IS the actual plunge?
The actual plunge is where all the plungers race into and then frolic in the
Monongahela River within a safety perimeter established by the EMS dive team. Plungers set their
own personal goals of how deep to go and how long they want to stay in; within
the limits established by the EMS divers. Some plungers only get their ankles
wet, others stay in and frolic until the dive members make them leave the water.
Going completely underwater is discouraged since it makes it harder for the
divers to determine individuals in distress. The deepest part of the water
at the plunge site is about 4 feet.
Why a safety perimeter with divers?
Polar Plunge has always used EMS and dive teams from Monongalia County and the
City of Morgantown to keep the plungers safe. Our event is a fun and wacky event, but there
is some risk from the water being so cold and winter storms can really raise the
currents. These highly trained individuals consider air and water temperature,
current strengths, amount of debris in the water, and other surf conditions to
decide both a maximum time plungers are allowed to stay in the water and how
deep plungers can go.
How does the plunge occur?
Just prior to the actual plunge, all the other wacky, crazy, and really excited
plungers enter the plunger only area. A safety briefing by our water
rescue dive team supervisor will remind you how to plunge safely. Once the
briefing is over, everything will be setup and the starting line dropped so that
you can run into the water. How deep you can go and how long you stay in are up
to you. Eventually, the dive team will escort the remaining plungers out of the
water (there are always some trying to stay the longest).
I want to stay overnight! Are there special room rates?
Euro Suites is offering special room rates for plungers. Euro Suites can
be reached at 304-598-1000.
There are also
numerous hotels throughout Morgantown that will offer special winter rates.
Check out the local Chamber for these special deals. We are trying to work
with local hotels, check back to see what we found out.
What if I'm cold or get cold easily?
We have full Emergency crews, ambulances, search and rescue, and dive teams on
site during the event. Members from area dive teams enter the water at plunge
time to make sure everyone stays safe. Also, our changing tents are heated
for added warmth if you need it. In addition, this year a bon fire will be
present to melt those ice cubes.
Where can I change before and after the plunge?
We will have a male and female changing tent so if you are not too modest you
will have a breeze free place to change into or out of your suit. The
changing tents are heated for Plunger comfort.
I can't collect all my pledges before the plunge, what do I do?
We can only register you for the amount of donations you bring with you to the
plunge. Separate checks are OK and should be made payable to Special Olympics
West Virginia. If you get donations in after the plunge, you can mail them to
Special Olympics West Virginia Polar Plunge, 1206 Virginia Street East, Suite 100, Charleston,
WV 25301. (online
registration or printable form).
Is there food or beverage at the site?
Texas Roadhouse is the vendor providing food for this event. All
plungers will be able to eat or drink for free. Spectators will be asked
to pay a fee for their food and beverages.
Some veteran plunger tips.
You must wear something on your feet. The gravel is incredibly
cold and we don't want to risk you cutting your feet on something below the
waters surface.
Find a good plunge buddy and stay with them the entire time.
Bring a sweat suit to throw on right away when you're done.
Make it a weekend and get a hotel room. Its fun to party at the plunge and that
hot shower feels soooo good afterwards.
Wait until after you plunge to indulge in adult beverages! Pair up with a
friend to get one hotel room. One can stay Friday night, one can stay Saturday
night, all can enjoy that shower without check-out/in worries!