Around 10am on Saturday, over 140 people – some in tutus, some wearing capes, some in penguin costumes – began to run, tiptoe or dive into the freezing waters of Port Phillip Bay.
To the untrained eye it might have looked a bit strange, especially given the single-digit temperatures – but it was part of the aptly named Polar Plunge, to raise funds for the Special Olympics.
The Special Olympics is a sporting competition for people with intellectual disability/autism. It’s part of the global Special Olympics movement of over four million athletes competing across more than 30 Olympic-type sports in 177 countries and jurisdictions.
Polar Plunge is a key fundraiser for the games, led by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which also supports the Special Olympics. This was the first time the Victorian branch of the Torch Run had taken part. Also for the first time this year, Polar Plunges were held around Australia and New Zealand across one weekend from 3-4 August.
The fundraising tally for the weekend across both countries stands at just over $270,000.
Hundreds turn out in Melbourne
The Melbourne event was kicked off by Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner, Wendy Steendam, and Special Olympics athlete Kylie Wilson, who leapt into the icy waters from a police boat and swam to shore.
The 147 plungers were supported by a crowd of spectators and Special Olympics athletes who turned out to offer their support. The Melbourne event raised almost $62,000, well over its $50,000 target.
Matt Volk, president of the Law Enforcement Torch Run in Victoria, told Link he was rapt with the support and the turnout.
“All of this is going to go to Special Olympics Australia, that will support athletes with intellectual disability in… personal development, healthy communities and also to participate in sport around Australia,” he said.
Volk took part in the plunge as part of the team the Icebreakers.
He admitted he was nervous, having done the plunge once before in the comparatively warmer state of Western Australia.
“We’ll be diving into the waters of Port Phillip Bay and freezin’ for a reason!” he said.
“But when I see the athletes turn out in numbers and show that determination, that grit and that positive attitude, I need to model that as well. We feed off their energy. I’m just going to run in there as fast as I can, and yes it’s going to be freezing but it’s for a good reason.”