Local teams prepare for Polar Plunge at Lake Tahoe to benefit Special Olympics

Nearly 40 teams representing organizations and businesses throughout western Nevada will take a jump into the chilly waters at Lake Tahoe on Saturday, March 30 for the annual Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics.

Organized and ready for the leap, teams from around the region, including those from Carson City, are asking community members for sponsorship in this annual event. Money raised will help Special Olympics Nevada continue to create change and enhance the lives of children and adults with intellectual disabilities through sports. Go here to sponsor any number of local and regional teams. Go here if you'd like to participate as an individual or team.

This year the Plunge theme is "Wild Thing" which can mean just about anything, including having the courage to dress up in wild costumes or, as law enforcement officers and firefighters sometimes do — wearing their uniforms — during the lake plunge.

Ask anyone who has ever participated and they will tell you that taking the Polar Plunge is a memorably wild time. See the video below or click here to watch last year's event.

What is the Polar Plunge? Well first of all, the Plunge isn’t a swim. Participants clad in swimsuits or uniforms or in street clothes make a running leap or plunge into the water and quickly take themselves out.

The Plunge is a event where people raise a minimum of $125 for the opportunity to run into and out of Zephyr Cove at Lake Tahoe along with other brave souls with warm hearts, all in the spirit of giving to Special Olympics.

If you’d rather leave the bathing suit at home but still want to participate , you’ll be excused from plunging but still be able to enjoy all the festivities and incentive rewards that our Plungers receive. And if you’d like to come and watch the fun these brave souls experience taking the plunge, you’re more than welcome to visit and cheer them on.

Plunge Perks: All registered participants who raise the minimum $125 are invited to the Post-Splash Bash featuring a complimentary hot buffet lunch, awards, no-host bar and other treats to warm you up after your brisk dip. Costumes are strongly encouraged. That's half of the fun.

More Plunge Perks: After the Plunge and Post-Plunge party, Saturday night brings the magnificent Alex Ramon performing in the Magic of Giving IMpossible. Flashy illusions, world class slight of hand, as well as humor are a part of this unique show for the entire family. Purchase your tickets here.

Those who raises a minimum of $1,000 or more, not only get two tickets to the heated VIP tent on Plunge Day, they also receive two Premium tickets to the Magic of Giving Show. And for those of you who raise $750 or more, they will receive two standard tickets to the show.

Participants who raise $3,000 receive the VIP treatment with a special “Very VIP” plunge Friday evening, March 29, at Edgewood Tahoe Resort. Those VIPers can “Plunge” into their lakeside swimming pool which is heated to 83 degrees. This very Pampered Plunge will be limited to the first 15 people who raise $3,000.

Make a weekend of it: Special Olympics Nevada has reserved a block of rooms reserved at MontBleu, site of the Polar Plunge post party, and at the beautiful Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe.

Montebleu: 800-648-3353 Code - STSOPP9 or group name, Special Olympics Polar Plunge. Group rate is good through March 15.
Room rates are:
Thursday, March 28, $69.99
Friday March 29, $109.99
Saturday, March 30, $139.99

Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe - Click here to book online - Code - 10281K. Room rate is $249

Schedule of Events
10 a.m.
— Registration Opens & pre-Plunge games begin
— VIP tent opens for those raising $1,000 or more
11:30 a.m.
— Costume contest
12 Noon - The Plunge
12:30 p.m. — Post-Splash Bash at MontBleu