Jumping into Wellington Harbour in winter might not seem like a smart idea – but don’t let local Special Olympics athletes and their supporters in Police and elsewhere hear you say that.
On a brilliant windless, sunny Wellington Saturday morning, athletes bravely took a Polar Plunge in the 9.25-degree water.
Joining them were supporters from Police, New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), Fire and Emergency, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Wellington Hospital and Wellington Free Ambulance staff.
Plunge partners included, clockwise from top left: Surf Lifesaving New Zealand, NZDF, Wellington Free Ambulance and the Rapid Relief Team.
The event at Freyberg Beach, Oriental Bay, aimed to raise awareness across New Zealand for Special Olympics athletes with learning and intellectual disabilities.
Participants in a variety of costumes and operational uniforms raced into the sea. Some raced right back out and others sat in the water for up to a minute as they were sponsored to do, to the delight of onlookers.
Police organiser Senior Sergeant Andrzej Kowalczyk says it went more than swimmingly. “We were absolutely blown away by the 182 entrants who turned up to plunge.
“It’s been awesome to be able to support the Special Olympics. Law enforcement staff from both Central District and Wellington District are proud to support the athletes.
“A big shout-out to Surf Life Saving New Zealand, the Rapid Relief Team (RRT) and Central Demolition for their support at the event also.”
He says staff who braved the cold had a great time – and ones that didn’t plunge want to come back and do it next year.
“They understand that these events and lending our support is about helping a community of courageous athletes,” he says.
The Police Wellington launch Lady Liz moored off the beach, and Wellington District Commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell was among those who plunged off its deck.
Going, going, gone - Superintendent Corrie Parnell makes a fast exit from Lady Liz.
The event was timed to coincide with Polar Plunges in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland and West Australia, with police from across Oceania supporting their athletes on the same day – although, says Andrzej “our Aussie counterparts’ plunge being less polar and more pleasant, I am guessing”.
Australian and New Zealand raised a combined $272,000. Wellington alone so far has raised $26,000 and counting.
Special Olympics New Zealand Chief Executive Fran Scholey thanked Police staff who took part.
“The support of New Zealand Police is hugely valued and this in turn helps the Special Olympics Programme continue to provide opportunities for an inclusive New Zealand," she says. "It was awesome to see so many people taking part.
“It was a fantastic morning and we are so thrilled that so many took part for such a good cause. People can still donate for the event, even if they didn’t swim."
The money raised will go directly toward helping Special Olympics athletes.
Andrzej says staff can continue supporting Special Olympics – without freezing – through the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR), a Police-run charity.
Globally more than 90,000 police professionals and supporters across 46 countries participate in Law Enforcement Torch Runs. The Polar Plunge is a subset fund raiser for this community.