Inaugural Kincardine Polar Plunge raises $5,000 for Special Olympics

Almost 20 brave souls jumped into a tank of icy water, Friday evening, at the inaugural Polar Plunge in Kincardine, raising $5,000 for Special Olympics.

Organizer Haydon Armstrong of NPX in Kincardine said he and his family moved here five years ago and have wanted to hold this event for awhile.

He thanked Ryan Plante and UBC Local 2222 for hosting the plunge and helping create the tank of water, as well as the scaffolding around it for jumpers to get in and out.

Elliott Construction donated the dumpster which was lined with ice-rink plastic and then filled the day before so the water would be icy cold.

As the moment drew closer for the plunge, Armstrong said the water temperature was one-half a degree Celsius.

“Thank you to all the participants and volunteers, and for all of you who are out here supporting us,” he said. “Now, let’s have some fun, but be safe!”

Joy Laidler of Special Olympics Kincardine and Area, thanked everyone for taking part in this event and supporting the local athletes.

“We have about 30 athletes who play a number of different sports,” she said. “We’ve had athletes go on to competitions at the provincial, national and world level, including our very own figure skater, Brooke Thomas, who is going to Italy for the World Winter Games next week!”

Those taking the plunge then took turns climbing up the ladder and jumping into the water. Dave Hackney of the South Bruce OPP was outfit in dive gear to help anyone who needed assistance getting out of the water.

The theme for the event was Kincardine Winter Beach Party and the teams wore colourful clothing, including several bright Hawaiian shirts. Joining them, was “Plungie” the Polar Bear (Jamie Rice).

The top fund-raising teams included the South Bruce OPP Provincial Plungers, $2,030; the NPX volunteer team, $1,220; and Ice, Ice, Maybe, $545.

The event made a great splash, as well as $5,000 for Special Olympics. Donations remain open until April at soopolarplunge.crowdchange.ca/91664.

Funds raised from the Polar Plunge go to Special Olympics Ontario, same as the money raised in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run.



Members of the South Bruce OPP Provincial Plungers jump into the tank of icy water at the Kincardine Polar Plunge, Friday night