What to Expect at Your First Polar Plunge

The 19th Annual Polar Plunge for Special Olympics in Lake George, New York

The 2025 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics in Lake George was on my 25 for 2025 list, and the Saturday before Thanksgiving I completed my mission. I love challenging my body. I ran the NYC Marathon three times in my twenties. I’m a blood platelet donor, and became a yoga instructor at 54. Now with my arthritis, I don’t run 10Ks, but the polar plunge seemed like a low risk challenge. What should you expect at your first Polar Plunge? I envisioned bath robed participants lounging on the shore, but this was definitely not the vibe. It was much more fun and high energy at Shepard Park in Lake George. I joined the “Freezin’ Friends” group. Our leader said we were probably going to go in in at 12:50pm but we ended up going earlier which was fine with me. As our group tip-toed over the sand, I heard a woman say, “Get ready for some pain!” and I held my breath for a few seconds.

As my feet went in, I braced myself. Whoa! It was icier than I imagined but I couldn’t help laughing (from nerves) as I kept on moving, amazed at how I could still move my numb legs towards the Warren County Sherriff’s Divers who were high-fiving the plungers. I only managed to high-five one of them because my legs were screaming at me to get out.

Even if you just dip your toe or ankle in, you get credit for being a plunger, and that is brave enough. I grabbed my bathrobe, towel, and sandals, and hobbled out. They recommend wearing water shoes, which I didn’t! I wore a long-sleeved swim shirt over my swimsuit, which kept me warm. Even after a had my hot cocoa and wore my comfy new hoodie, my legs felt cool for a couple hours, and post plunge fatigue set in. All in all though, the experience didn’t scare me, and I would definitely return next year. I think one polar plunge per year is going to be enough for me though.

Next year, my goal will be to high-five every one. I’ll also start my fundraising earlier so I can hopefully raise more money for Special Olympics New York.