Rainy night fails to dampen spirit of 70 people taking part in the Kincardine Polar Plunge

It was a dark and rainy night as 70 brave souls jumped into a tank of icy water, Friday evening, at the second annual Polar Plunge in Kincardine, raising more than $19,000 for Special Olympics Ontario.

Organizer Haydon Armstrong of NPX welcomed the huge crowd and was excited to announce that the fund-raiser had almost doubled its goal of $10,000.

He noted the team, "Riley's Forever Crew - Our Reason for Freezin'," of 33 participants, raised $8,570 for the cause. The group was participating in memory of Riley Van Bergen of Kincardine who died a year ago, March 6, 2025, at the age of 10.

Armstrong thanked Ryan Plante and UBC Local 2222 for hosting the plunge and helping create the tank of water, as well as the scaffolding around it for jumpers to get in and out. Elliott Construction donated the dumpster which was lined with ice-rink plastic and then filled the day before so the water would be icy cold.

“Thank you to all the participants and volunteers, and for all of you who are out here supporting us,” he said. “Now, let’s have some fun, but be safe!”

Those taking the plunge then took turns climbing up the ladder and jumping into the water.



Members of "Riley's Forever Crew" jump into the icy water, to the delight of a huge crowd, at the Kincardine Polar Plunge, Friday night

The theme for the event was Super Heroes and Villains, and the teams were colourfully attired as Superman, Spiderman, Wonder Woman, Batman, the Incredibles, Captain Canada, Harley Quinn, Cruella de Vil, and more.

The top fund-raising teams included Riley's Forever Crew, $8,570; Shiver Me Timbers, $2,035; NPXtra Cold, $1,570 and the South Bruce OPP Frost-Responders, $1,315.

The event made a great splash, as well as more than $19,000 for Special Olympics. Donations remain open until April at soopolarplunge.crowdchange.ca/127872.

Funds raised from the Polar Plunge go to Special Olympics Ontario, same as the money raised in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run. Locally, the funds are used to assist about 30 Special Olympics athletes in the area as they travel to regional, provincial, national and international sports competitions.



Members of the South Bruce OPP "Frost-Responders" take the plunge