“Brave Polar Plungers Take the Plunge to Raise Funds and Get BC Special Olympians Back in Action”
Thousands are expected to dip in the return of the Personal Polar Plunge to help BC Special Olympics athletes
Oak Bay Police Sgt. Kirstin Stuart is the local team leader this year as Dippers head to Cadboro-Gyro Beach where the Saanich Detachment made their 2022 virtual jump.
A little warmer than the Salish Sea, Stuart spent much of her youth as a synchronized swimmer in a pool and knows the benefits of the sport well beyond the physical.
“It was my friend group, it was my social activity, it kept me out of trouble,” she said with a chuckle. “So anything that encourages people to exercise, I’m in for it.”
These social aspects are the highlight this year as the divers meet again in person, with a focus on bringing Special Olympics athletes back out and training together after years of virtual training. Special Olympics BC programs are about halfway back to pre-pandemic levels.
RELATED: Oak Bay hosts first Vancouver Island Polar Plunge for Special Olympics BC
The event raises essential funds to enable year-round athletic, youth and health programs for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
It started as part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the same purpose, the first Vancouver Island event saw divers dove off Willows Beach in 2018. After a few years, online participants are ready to do #plunge4SOBC in person this year.
As it continues to work with the Law Enforcement Torch Run — and police officers from across the South Island are immersing themselves in the fundraiser — they have been joined along the way by other first responders, community leaders and residents.
RELATED: Special Olympians from Greater Victoria and beyond mark a year of growth through Zoom
For example, Mayor Kevin Murdoch is a member of the Oak Bay team.
In nearby Victoria, VicPD chief Del Manak is already “training” for the jump, although judging from the video on social media with a rubber ducky and a children’s pool, he has a long way to go before dive day.
This year @ChiefManak dived deep into his training for the @sobcsociety polar jump. Join us on Sunday February 19th at Cadboro-Gyro Park in Saanich to come #FreezingForAReaon. Registration starts at 9:30 am. Join our team or start your own at #yyj pic.twitter.com/6l8Q4qIAzf
— Victoria Police Department (@vicpdcanada) February 2, 2023
Community and virtual participation will run February 18-March 9, with the Vancouver Island team banging the waves with fanfares, and a performance by Oak Bay’s Stephanie Greaves on February 19 at Cadboro-Gyro Park in Saanich.
Registration for the Vancouver Island Polar Plunge begins at 9:30am with the opening ceremony at 10:30am and waves of divers hitting the water at 11am. Visit peste4specialolympics.crowdchange.ca for other places to register for the virtual jump and participate from anywhere or to support a team.
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Greater Victoria Special Olympics
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