The 18th Annual Polar Bear Plunge ~ CANCELED

The 18th Annual Polar Bear Plunge 2014 in support of the Specaial Olympics  held by the Maryland State Police has been canceled according to organizers of the event.

Organizers cited high waves on the bay along with poor weather conditions.

IMPORTANT NOTICE
 In all events that we conduct, the health and safety of all involved are at the center of all important decisions related to continuing or canceling all or a portion of the activity.

After careful assessment of all contributing factors related to conducting the 18th Annual MSP Polar Bear Plunge, Special Olympics Maryland, in consultation with the Maryland State Police and Maryland Park Service, have made the decision to cancel this year’s Plunge. A combination of high winds gusting up to 25 mph has created three-foot waves.

Combined with freezing temperatures, this has created a large build up of snow and ice on the shore resulting in unsafe conditions for Plungers.

 Additionally, high winds are expected to continue throughout the day with 1-2” of snow is also in the forecast. Conditions are only expected to worsen throughout the day.

Given the commitment of over 7,000 plungers, hundreds of volunteers, sponsors and other stakeholders, we considered all possible scenarios for conducting today’s event and determined that there was no safe way to facilitate 7,000 people plunging. We also considered all the related implications that result from cancelling the event. We concluded that the severity of the conditions and corresponding implications that threatened safety of all involved dictated that we cancel. Because of the magnitude of the event, including park access, venue set up and expense, there are no alternative dates that could accommodate re-staging the Plunge.

As the single largest event to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics Maryland, we are indebted to so many people that make it happen and understand the widespread disappointment that will result from this decision. We hope that everyone is able to take pride in knowing that even without plunging their efforts will have a profoundly positive impact on 6,500 Special Olympics Maryland athletes throughout the state. The event is on track to raise about $1.8m which is short of our goal of our $2.5m goal.

Plungers with pledges can turn their money into Special Olympics Maryland via a state police barracks or the Special Olympics Maryland office.

Source: