11th Annual Polar Plunge at ASU Duck Pond February 26

Story by Kristen Street

Last year, a total of 202 Polar Plunge participants raised $9,600 for Watauga County Special Olympics. Photo courtesy The Appalachian

On Thursday, February 26, ASU is hosting the 11th annual Polar Plunge. Proceeds from the event benefit Watauga County Special Olympics.

Students and community members, as well as plenty of spectators, will gather around the Duck Pond at ASU at 3:00 p.m. to take a leap of freezing faith into the icy waters of the pond.

Participants in the event can jump, cannonball or belly flop their way into the pond. Each year, many participants wear elaborate costumes while taking part in the event.

Over the past 10 years, the Polar Plunge has raised more than $75,000 for the Special Olympics, with last year’s group raising more than $9,000.

The number of onlookers, preferring to stay warm and dry, has occasionally grown to more than 1,000, with the largest draw being in 2002 when an episode of Road Rules was filmed during the event.

M.T.V. won’t be there this year, but it will still be quite a show.

Registration starts at 3:00 p.m., and the jumping takes place at 4:00 p.m. Participants are asked to donate at least $25, and individuals in groups of five or more registering together are asked to donate at least $20 per person. Prizes for best costume and top fundraising group will be awarded afterward, and each participant will receive a Polar Plunge beach towel to remember the event.

The ASU University Police Department, Boone Police Department, Blowing Rock Police Department, Appalachian Regional Health Care System Police Department, Watauga County Sheriff’s Department and Watauga County Parks and Recreation sponsor the event.

For more information, to register for the event or to sponsor a participant, call Karen Poteat, Watauga County Special Olympics coordinator, at 264-9511.

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