If you missed your chance to swim like penguins in the Burrard Inlet to start 2023, you could soon make like a polar bear and plunge for charity.
The 2023 Rocky Point Park Polar Plunge is slated for next Saturday (Feb. 25).
It's expected to bring roughly 100 people to Port Moody's Rocky Point Park to brave the cold while raising awareness for Special Olympians and their passion for competing for their communities.
The local event is a partnership with Port Moody police (PMPD) and the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics BC, who've set a fundraising goal of $12,500 this year.
"We have raised about $10K so far and we expect that figure to increase," PMPD spokesperson Const. Sam Zacharias told the Tri-City News.
"Currently, we have first responders from Tri-Cities and beyond, as well as SD43, rotary and some local businesses who will also be participating."
Zacharias added this is one of PMPD's more community-based event its hosted compared to smaller versions in previous years.
Several Port Moody Special Olympians are set to be in attendance and will be recognized at the annual plunge for their recent accomplishments at the 2023 BC Winter Games.
Speed skater Reid Demelo, alpine skier Fiona Hall and snowshoer Jay Prentice represented the City of the Arts in Kamloops earlier this month.
Hall and Prentice won two medals in their respective events, including one gold medal each, while Demelo racked up three silvers around the rink.
Polar Plunge 2023 is scheduled for Feb. 25 at 12 p.m. at the Rocky Point Park boat launch.
Vancouver Canucks public address announcer and Port Moody resident Al Murdoch has been tapped to emcee the event.
Interested participants who can't make it to the Port Moody plunge are encouraged to register for a virtual version.
For more information and/or to make a donation, you can visit the Polar Plunge 2023 website.
