So you’ve finally decided to grin and bear it and take a Polar Plunge?

Congratulations!

You have signed up for an unforgettable experience, both in and out of the water – whether at the beach, a lake, or in a pool! In order to help you successfully navigate your very first Polar Plunge, we have asked a veteran “Plunger” to offer some words of wisdom:

DO

• Wear your plunging suit under the clothes you wear to the event – then you don’t have to change into it just to change right back out of it!
• Choose your “Plunge Day” outfit (or post-Plunge gear) with this is mind – you will be cold and possibly a little numb – so loose-fitting, easy-on clothes without a lot of snaps, zippers or buttons are best. When your fingers and toes don’t work so well, it’s not so easy to get some of that stuff back on!
• Bring a loose pair of shoes to wear after the Plunge – something that will slip on easily and doesn’t have tricky laces (think Crocs or water shoes).
• Visit the merchandise tent if there is one and get involved in the fun entertainment. It’ ll be worth the smiles!
• If you are a veteran “plunger” you can offer some help to the Plunge rookies – first-timers are easy to spot! (I remember having a helper the first time I went in.)

DO NOT

• Do NOT dive in – this is a safety regulation and will be enforced by the safety team!
• Beyond that, remember that a Plunge is whatever you want it to be, so there is no pressure to fully submerge yourself. I personally recommend you do not go into the water above your abdomen, but that’s up to you. The water is cold (it is February after all!) and can take your breath away…with exhilaration!
• Do not run into the water too quickly, there might be things in the water you can not see. You might step on them or kick them and trip.
• Do not be the first to go into the water if it is your first time. Remember, there will be many people behind you and if you get in there and decide you need to get out immediately, it will be difficult to do so quickly.
• Do not worry about “missing” the Plunge – sometimes it can be as many as 300 people going in the water, so even if you wait 5 or 10 minutes until the crowd thins out, you’ll still get the full Plunge experience…but in a less congested way. This will also make it easier for your entourage to bear witness to the big event and snap your smiling and shivering photo for you.

THINGS YOU SHOULD BRING

• A Bag for wet clothes
• A backpack or tote bag to hold street clothes and your new T-shirt
• Two medium-sized Towels – one to dry with and one to stand on
• A dry friend to hold your valuables while you are in the water
• Water-friendly Shoes for going into the water, sand or concrete can be very cold on bare feet
• Clean, dry undergarments to wear after your plunge
• Maybe bring a Waterproof Camera that you can carry into the Plunge Zone with you… or feel free to ask a fellow Plunger to capture your big moment and you can email your favorite photos to us if you want to share them on our gallery.
• Food or Snacks in case none are available at your chosen plunge, or if you have certain dietary needs or allergies that might not be taken into consideration by those providing food

Most of all… just have a great time! We thank you so much for your participation!