Plungers emerge from the chilly Lake Michigan water during last year’s SUPER Plunge. Photo: Special Olympics Illinois
It may not be the best time for a swim in Lake Michigan, but that isn’t stopping 37 Illinois residents on Friday.
Those taking part in the 8th annual 2013 SUPER Plunge will be braving the icy waters to raise money for Special Olympics Illinois.
The SUPER acronym says it all: Some Unbelievable Plungers Enter Repeatedly.
It’s so named because participants are expected to dive not once, not twice, but 24 times over the course of 24 hours.
The Lake Michigan water may be frigid, but the event is undoubtedly effective.
In the first seven years, the SUPER Plunge raised more than $545,000. Each participant is encouraged to raise $2,000 or more.
The public asked to make donations or to come out to the site to cheer on the plungers.
This year’s group includes will begin jumping into the lake at Northwestern University’s North Beach in Evanston at 2 p.m on Friday, and will dive every hour on the hour until 1 p.m. the following day.
There are 20 other Polar Plunges at various other lakes across the state, each of which will provide funding for athletic competition for the more than 21,300 athletes with intellectual disabilities.