Madison Polar Plunge
10th Anniversary - Dippin' for a Decade!
Olin Turville Park, Madison
Date: February 21, 2009
This year about 1,884 Plungers raised more than $430,000 for Special Olympics. Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2009 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Wisconsin.
Photos
2009 Video
2009 Madison Stats
- Average Age - 23.5
- Highest Grossing Team - Chassity's Chill Seekers $26,942
- Highest Grossing Individual - Eric Jorgensen $6,725
- Highest Grossing UW Team - UW MBA $10,993
- Most Plungers - Verona High School 90
- Most Plungers UW - UW MBA 58
- Most original Plunge wear (team) - The Generdicists
- Most original Plunge wear (individual) - the person that dressed as Scooby Doo on the Verona High School Team
Plunging: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Day of registration: 10:15 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Pre-Registration
Avoid long lines, turn in your pledges, pick up your incentive prizes and enjoy free snacks! All Plungers must have a signed waiver. If you are a team captain turning in someone else’s registration materials, please have them sign a waiver and turn it in for them at pre-registration. All Plungers under 18 must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian. Click here to download the waiver form.
Buffalo Wild Wings (State St)
- Wednesday, Feb. 18, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Coliseum Bar
- Thursday, Feb. 19, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Friday, Feb. 20, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Plunge Parking
At Alliant Energy Center (pay at entrance), Coliseum Bar, or take free shuttle from Memorial Union. Shuttles will also be running between Alliant Energy Center, Coliseum Bar and Olin-Turville Park. Click here to download a map of parking and shuttle pick-up locations.
Polar Plunge Contests
- Most Money Raised - Individual & Group
- Largest Group Plunge
- Most Original Plungewear - Individual & Group
- Famous Footwear "Cold Feet" Award
"Dippin' for a Decade" 10th Anniversary Post Plunge Party
Coliseum Bar upstairs: Help celebrate "Dippin' For A Decade" in Madison following Madison's 10th Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Wisconsin. Live Bands include Universal Sound (3-5), Wicked Lily (6-7:30), and Suburban Disturbance (8:30-11:30). Free appetizers and cake! Silent Auction!
NO cover charge!
You Do NOT have to participate in the Polar Plunge to attend the FREE party. 3 Live Bands! Free Appetizers! Cake made by Craig’s Cakes in Verona! Silent Auction!
Click on the following links to check out the 3 bands that will be performing:
Safety Tips
- All Plungers must wear shoes
- Alcohol is not allowed on grounds (intoxicated individuals will be escorted out)
- Bring a towel
New this year!
Too chicken to Plunge? No problem...you can still participate! Register as a chicken, raise pledges, receive incentives and be featured with all other chickens for a chicken
dance at the Plunge!
Volunteers needed
Click here to download a volunteer registration form
What to expect at the Madison Polar Plunge
The water at the Plunge hole is typically over 6 ft deep and the distance to exit of the water is about 12 ft. The water will go over your head when you jump in. Remember that there is a last minute option of doing the “chicken dance” if you become frightened or overwhelmed at the prospect of Plunging.
Trained Divers, Fire Department, and EMTs are on site at the hole for assistance with those who aren’t strong swimmers or for accidents.
Suggestions of what to bring:
- A towel. Towels are one of the incentive items, but all Plungers are encouraged to bring their own in case we run out or you don’t reach that incentive level.
- Old Shoes/flip flops/aquatic shoes. You will have to walk out on the ice and sometimes wait a moment for others to jump so please bring and wear an old pair of shoes that you won’t mind getting wet as well as dry replacement shoes.
- Duffel Bag/Backpack/garbage bag (to keep wet separate from dry). It’s a good idea to bring a bag with you for dry clothes and to put wet clothes when you are done Plunging.
- Dry replacement clothes. After you’re done Plunging it is nice to have some dry/warm replacement clothes for the journey home.
There will be security in each changing tent, but please know that sometimes items go missing. Special Olympics Wisconsin is not responsible for lost or missing items. If you have something valuable please DO NOT leave it in the changing tent, but have a friend hang onto it or put it onto one of the tables outside near the Plunge hole when you're in the water.
Lost and Found will be located in the Concession Tent near the food table at the Volunteer check-in station. After the Plunge is over all “valuable” lost and found items will go to Special Olympics Offices at 5900 Monona Dr. #403; Madison, WI 53716. Please call 608-221-2900 to inquire about missing items or email Jweichelt@specialolympicswisconsin.org
A high amount of Plungers typically leave wet old shoes and wet clothing in the changing tent. All of these items are thrown in the dumpster immediately following the event and are not kept since they are usually meant to be discarded.
Polar Plunge cold weather plan
At this time we are planning on a full scale Polar Plunge for Madison's 10th anniversary.
If, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, temperatures are at or below -4 degrees or -10 with wind chill, the Madison Rescue/Fire/EMT Crew will advise us to convert the Polar Plunge event into a "Pinkie Plunge" where participants can dip a body part into the water, but not fully submerge. If this is the case than we will alert the media and make sure folks know that the event is still going on, but altered for safety reasons. The event will not be cancelled due to the cold, just modified and the fun events including the Post Plunge Party at The Coliseum will still be held.
For more information contact
John Weichelt
Phone: (608) 221-2900
E-mail: jweichelt@specialolympicswisconsin.org
5900 Monona Dr. Ste 403
Madison, WI 53716
Are you on MySpace? Facebook?
Check out these online groups or start up your own community online to discuss the Polar Plunge and encourage friends to join your team or pledge to you.
2009 Plunge Links
