Every winter for the past 10 years, there has been a day where hundreds of Washington, D.C. residents descend upon a freezing above-ground pool at Yards Park. Seeing so many people in bathing suits and crazy costumes lining up in the cold weather to get into even colder water is a peculiar sight. But for regular participants in the DC Polar Plunge, it’s an annual tradition—and one for a good cause.
Polar plunges, sometimes known as polar bear plunges, are a worldwide phenomenon where people brave the cold ocean water during the winter. In Canada and the Netherlands, it’s a New Year’s Day tradition; in the United Kingdom, they usually take place on Christmas. In the U.S., however, polar plunges are primarily held as charity events. The largest in the country takes place in Maryland at Sandy Point State Park.
The DC Polar Plunge was started in 2015 as a way to raise money for Special Olympics DC, which provides inclusive sports programs for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. This year’s plunge is set to take place Feb. 22 from noon to 3 p.m.
“The money goes towards the health, education and inclusion programs that Special Olympics DC runs year-round, serving 2,500 children and adults with intellectual disabilities across DC, always at no cost to participants,” explains Cat Lanigan, communications and college program manager at Special Olympics DC. “These services fill critical gaps in healthcare, education and social inclusion for people with disabilities, while also keeping them fit and encouraging them to maintain a healthy lifestyle.”
Holding a Polar Plunge in D.C. presents a unique challenge to the organizers, as these kinds of events usually use the ocean or icy lakes. No such bodies of water exist in D.C. that would be safe for participants to enter, so an above-ground pool is erected in Yards Park instead.
The DC Polar Plunge started out small but has grown significantly over the years and now includes a community day called Flurry Fest. After taking the plunge, participants can take part in free, family-friendly activities in the park—along with any park guests who may not be brave enough to take the plunge.
Lanigan notes that over the years, the Polar Plunge has attracted community organizations and teams to participate, including college and university sports teams, local law enforcement, staff of local restaurants and even Democratic and Republican politicians who compete to see which party can get more people to jump in.
The Plunge is family-friendly, and all ages are welcome to participate. A diver from the Metropolitan Police Department’s harbor patrol unit is in the water at all times to ensure the safety of all divers, and some families take the jump together. Participants should bring a towel and a change of clothes.
The Polar Plunge isn’t Special Olympics DC’s only fundraising effort during the winter, though. This year, the organization has partnered with the DC Snowball Fight Association, which holds competitive snowball fights in the area for fun.
“We have a shared mission of bringing community members in D.C. together for joy and competition, and our partnership takes that a step farther by putting actual funds toward Special Olympics DC programs,” Lanigan says. “The DCSFA has encouraged snowball fighters to donate and/or sign up to plunge on the 22nd.”
Special Olympics DC also has a partnership with DC Bike Party, a nonprofit group that organizes monthly bike rides around D.C.
In addition to funding local inclusive sports efforts, events like the DC Polar Plunge help send athletes to the Special Olympics USA games, which attract athletes with disabilities from across the country.
“Every four years, Team DC travels to the Special Olympics USA Games—the next games are Minnesota 2026—but Special Olympics truly happens every day in school halls and community recreation centers,” Lanigan says. “Athletes currently are training for our Summer Games, which take place May 19-23, 2025 at Catholic University. Special Olympics DC needs hundreds of volunteers every day to make these games happen.”
To learn more about volunteering and other Special Olympics DC fundraisers and events, visit specialolympicsdc.org. For more information and Polar Plunge registration, visit specialolympicsdc.org/events/polar-plunge/.
