- Special Olympics New Zealand

The Polar Plunge is hitting Wellington this August

Join Special Olympics New Zealand, the New Zealand Police and Law Enforcement Torch Run at Freyberg Beach on Saturday 3 August to take the Polar Plunge and help raise funds for Special Olympics athletes and programmes across New Zealand.

Event Details

9am, Saturday 3 August 2024
Freyberg Beach, Oriental Bay, Wellington

Registration – 8:30am
Polar Plunge – 9:00am

Entry Donation

$25 per person.
$10 per Special Olympics athlete.

Participants must be aged 12 or over on the day of the Polar Plunge.

Buy a Polar Plunge T-Shirt

*Please note T-Shirts will be distributed at the Polar Plunge

Contact Information
Andrzej Kowalcczk
andrzej.kowalcyzk@police.govt.nz
Rupert Friend
rupert.friend@police.govt.nz
Mark Harrison
mark.harrison@police.govt.nz
Liz Fitzgerald
events@specialolympics.org.nz

Your Incentives

All plungers will receive a limited-edition towel on exiting the water
Raise $150 and receive a Polar Plunge beanie to keep you warm
Hot soup and coffee will be available on the day

Incentives will be distributed at Polar Plunge.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does check in take?

We have streamlined our check-in process but can never predict when crowds will be heaviest. We encourage you to arrive early to check-in on the day of the event and enjoy the Plunge atmosphere. All participants MUST check-in prior to Plunging to turn in funds, receive incentives etc. Bring all donations with you when you come to check-in. Cash, charge, and checks are accepted.

What do I wear to Plunge?

You can wear whatever you want to Plunge – your plunge t-shirt, a bathing suit, street clothes, and even costumes!

What else should I bring to Plunge?

For the best Plunge experience, make sure to bring the following:
– A towel to dry off and warm up with.
– Old shoes, aquatic shoes, etc. Don’t forget to bring a pair of dry shoes to wear afterward.
– A duffel bag, backpack, garbage bag, etc. It’s a good idea to bring a bag for dry clothes, as well as a plastic bag for your wet clothes.
– Dry replacement clothes. After you’re done Plunging, it’s nice to have some warm and dry clothes for the journey home.
– Another Plunger! Recruit a friend, family member, co-worker, or acquaintance and get them to Plunge with you. It’s always more fun to Plunge with someone!

How else can I have an awesome plunge experience?

– Do NOT dive or flip into the water. This is a safety precaution for all Plungers that is strictly enforced by the Dive Team.
– We advise you not to Plunge after drinking alcohol. Intoxicated people will not be permitted to Plunge.
– Leave valuables at home or with a spectator. Special Olympics New Zealand is not responsible for items that are lost or stolen.
– Try not to run out of the water after you Plunge. Keep in mind that everything is wet, slippery and you will be cold.
– Bring along warm clothes to wear after you Plunge that are easy to put on. The last things you want to deal with when you’re cold and wet are clumsy zippers and buttons!
– Carpool! Parking can be crowded so help us out by coming as a group.

What time will we be finished on the day?

We will be starting the Polar Plunge at 9.00am sharp and hope to be all done within an hour … depending on the number of participants. We will update this timing as we get closer to the event.

The Polar Plunge is hitting Wellington this August

Event Details

Entry Donation

Your Incentives

Postal Address:

Physical Address: