The Penguin Plunge

It’s the middle of February in Vermont. The air is cold, the snow is deep and the lake is frozen. What a great time to go for a swim!

Sign up now to support Special Olympics Vermont during the 7th annual Penguin Plunge. Join fellow brave souls for a Plunge into invigorating Lake Champlain at 11:00 AM on Saturday, of the Winter Festival Weekend. You’ll benefit a very worthy cause, Special Olympics Vermont, while also getting lots of great prizes and proving to all your friends you’re not the total wimp they thought you were.

Each Penguin will receive a special edition fleece hat and neck warmer, beach towel and Certificate of Plunging. There are also other great prizes to earn including a gear bag, fleece blanket, fleece jacket, fleece vest and parka. The Emperor Penguin (top fundraiser) will receive a three-day ski package courtesy of Smugglers Notch.

A flock of Penguins is even more fun than one! Groups of five or more Penguins from clubs, businesses or other organizations are encouraged to get involved. There is no other event like this to bring a group closer together, if only to stay warm.

Participation in the Penguin Plunge provides much-needed funding for Special Olympics Vermont. Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities. Athletes learn important physical and social skills that carry over to school, work and home.

The first Penguin Plunge in 1996 had eight participants who raised $2,000. Last year, 605 brave souls took the Plunge and raised $180,000 for Special Olympics.

To join the frigid fun of the Penguin Plunge, please call (802) 863-5222 or visit PenguinPlunge.org.

Just the facts…
about the Penguin Plunge

FRIDAY, (The day before the Plunge Event is scheduled.) 10:00 AM Set-up begins at Waterfront Park. Ice removal (a big job, the ice is 5 inches thick!) will continue all day. The goal is to create a large enough hole in the ice to allow a group of 40 Penguins to enter the water at one time.

4:00 PM The excitement begins! A Pre-Plunge registration event will be held at Ri Ra, The Irish Pub, 123 Church Street from 4:00 - 10:00 PM. The Pre-Plunge party is sponsored by Long Trail Brewing Company. Penguins can sign up for the event and turn in their sponsor money during the registration event.

Saturday, February 16 8:30 AM A colony of at least 40 Penguins from Ri Ra, the Irish Pub, will meet at the pub for a hearty Irish breakfast in preparation for their dive into the lake. After breakfast, the Ri Ra team will march en masse to Waterfront Park, led by a bagpiper.

9:00 AM The rally of the flightless birds begins. Penguins begin arriving and assembling their Penguin Colonies. Participants will flock to the Rookeries, large heated tents where they can shed their warm outerwear and strip down to proper Penguin attire. Spectators will be encouraged to admire the Penguins’ plumage.

11:00 AM The Plunge begins! Penguins will enter the lake as their colonies are announced. Penguins will then head to the Church Street Marketplace for a Post-Plunge party in a huge heated tent on the lower block, hosted by Long Trail Brewing Company. For viewers with high-band internet access (like Cable or DSL), there is a 14-Second Video Clip available for viewing.

4:00 PM - Penguins head home to wait for spring.

Weather Only A Penguin Would Love

Average mid-February forecasts in Burlington call for highs in the upper 20’s and snow! Perfect weather for a leisurely swim? If you are a Penguin, it is.

Penguin Code of Conduct

1. No wet or dry suits allowed. Speedos are permitted, but use them wisely.
2. Head-first diving is not permitted, the water is too shallow.
3. Costumes are encouraged.
4. Having a great time is mandatory!