The second annual Kincardine Polar Plunge is aiming to build off a successful first year.
The event which raises money for Special Olympics will be held March 6, 2026, in the parking lot of UBC Local 2222.
Though still new for Kincardine, these plunges have long been running across the province, with 35 taking place in Ontario last year.
Haydon Armstrong had been involved in the York Region Polar Plunge for many years and after moving to the area, noticed the Kincardine community didn't have one going.
He said the inaugural event went well in 2025.
"Last year, we had a fundraising goal of $5,000 and we were able to reach $6,000, which was great," said Armstrong. "We had 17 plungers and a bunch of the local Special Olympic athletes came out too which was great."
The event was sponsored by his employer NPX Innovation, as well as UBC Local 2222, Elliott Construction, and the South Bruce OPP. In 2026, he's aiming to get even more local businesses on board, and more people in the water.
"My vision for this is to make it a more engaging local event. You can come out and plunge if you want, but also come out and be involved and support the plungers and just have fun," said Armstrong. "I've upped the fundraising goal to $10,000 and we're looking to get at least double our plunger count and more local engagement."
The theme for the 2026 event is Superheroes and Villains. Costumes are highly encouraged, though Armstrong joked that capes may not work great in freezing cold pool.
While the funds raised will support Special Olympics Ontario, Armstrong also shared that if more local athletes sign up and get sponsored, more of the donations will stay in town.
"The majority of funds that the local event raises goes toward the organization as a whole," he said. "However, the Special Olympics athletes that are raising funds, 75 per cent of what they raise stays in the area. So the more Special Olympics athletes that sign up and the more that they raise, the more that stays within the community."
The Kincardine Polar Plunge takes place March 6. You can register online ahead of time, or in person at the event, starting at 6 p.m. The plunges will start taking place at 7 p.m. at 385 Queen Street.
To register, sponsor the event or donate to other plungers, visit their website.
