First-ever Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Florida Makes Big Splash!

Orlando, January 16, 2010 -- Over 250 brave souls were "freezin' for a reason" at Aquatica, SeaWorld's water park, on Saturday, Jaunary 16, for Special Olympics Florida's first-ever Polar Plunge.

Aquatica is usually warm and tropical, but for one day only, they chilled down their massive Cutback Cove wave pool to a "refreshing" 61 degrees (cold by Florida standards).

The morning began with entertainment, interaction with SeaWorld's penguins and exotic birds, snapshots on the custom ice formations that lined the shore, and more than a few Plungers sneaking a toe in to test the waters.

The kick-off ceremony featured 3-time Olympic Gold Medalist Brook Bennett (Swimming, 1996 and 2000 Olympic games), Special Olympics world-record holding swimmer Andy Miyares, remarks by Rick Beddow, VP, Aquatica and the perennial crowd favorite - the costume contest!

Awards were presented to the top three fundraising individuals and teams, which were...

Individual Fundraisers:
1. Ozzie Cruz - Team "Miami Ice"
2. Dorothy Barilla - Team "Goosebumps"
3. Rick Beddow - Team "Potent Plungers"

Team Fundraisers:
1. Miami Ice
2. Potent Plungers
3. Team DOC

Waves of Plungers charged into the chilly waters. Inevitably, screams and yelps of shock immediately gave way to laughter and celebratory "woo-hoo's."

Thanks to everyone's efforts, the first annual Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Florida netted over $62,000! An amazing accomplishment for our very first Plunge.

And the news gets even better...Aquatica announced it will proudly host the 2nd Annual Polar Plunge in January of 2011.

Thanks to everyone who took the Plunge for Special Olympics Florida and who supported their favorite Plungers!

 

 View and download (for free) Plunge Photos

Check out our "pool cam" video of the waves of Plungers

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