2026-2027 Polar Plunge

Ready… Set…Plunge! The Special Olympics NorCal Polar Plunge season kicks off Dec. 6, 2026 along the cool shores of chilly South Lake Tahoe, running through March 2027.

Come join the Plunge party at locations across NorCal and make a splash for athletes during our coolest fundraiser of the year!

The Polar Plunge fuels our free, year-round sports, health, and leadership programs for Special Olympics NorCal athletes. Here’s how it works:

Step

1

Register

Sign up to participate in your Plunge location(s) of choice.

Step

2

Fundraise

Fundraise $125 (or more!) and earn cool incentives.

Step

3

Plunge!

Jump into the waters on Plunge day and celebrate doing something special.

How it Works

Join a team, start your own, or sign up solo. Cool School participants can Plunge for $50, but need to raise $125 to earn the T-shirt and lunch.

Reach out to friends, family, neighbors and coworkers to raise funds and unlock incentive rewards.

However you brave the water, from a quick dip to a full Plunge, you’re in! Not up for getting wet? You can still register and support the cause.

The more you raise, the bigger your impact on Special Olympics NorCal athletes, families, and our community.

Costumes & Awards

Fundraising is only half the fun. We hand out awards to our top individual and team fundraisers, and for best costumes, too!

Costumes aren’t required, but they’re a big part of the Polar Plunge tradition. And the crowd eats them up! Superheroes, animal costumes, full team themes – whatever gets you fired up for jumping in.

However you show up for the Polar Plunge, you’ll be doing something special and making an impact for athletes.

View the 2026 Plunge Photos

Frequently Asked Questions

Plunger/Chicken – Participants are asked to raise a minimum of $125 and will receive a Plunge T-shirt and lunch.
Cool School student – Participants must raise a minimum of $50 but in order to earn a T-shirt and lunch must raise a minimum of $125.

Absolutely not. Participants run into the water, frolic around for a minute or two, snap photos, then out of the water you go!

That is completely up to you! Dip your whole body or your big toe, whatever you decide is fine by us! If you don’t want to get wet at all, register as a chicken. You’ll be excused from plunging but qualify for the same incentive rewards as our Plungers.

Heck no! But lots of people will! When else will you have an excuse to dress in costume in the middle of winter? If you’re part of team, get in the spirit of things and come up with a team theme. Keep in mind this is a family affair so plan your costume or plunge attire accordingly.

You will want to wear some type of water shoe. Don’t forget to bring a towel and a change of clothes too! Some type of plastic bag or backpack to put your wet clothes will probably be a good idea.

No, anyone is welcome to join us. However on Plunge Day, those under the age of 18 must bring a Polar Plunge waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian. No waiver, no Plunge, no exceptions!

Nope! Your cheering squad is more than welcome to come and watch the festivities free of charge. Really, they gotta see it to believe it!