Polar Plunge participants prepare teams for the chilly jump

RAPID CITY, S.D. — After a plunge-less year in 2020, Rapid City polar plunges are back.

The Northern Hills Polar Plunge will be Saturday, October 16, at Outlaw Square in Deadwood, and the Rapid City Polar Plunge will be on Saturday, October 30, at Black Hills Harley Davidson.

The theme for the plunge on the 30th is ‘Halloween Monster Bash’, with costume contests for participants. All proceeds from the plunges go directly to supporting Black Hills Special Olympics, which supports over 600 athletes in the area who participate in twelve different sports.

Monica Burgess, Secretary of Rapid City Flame, talked about the fundraising efforts at the events. “The money that is raised goes 100 percent to the Special Olympics athlete. It includes travel money, uniform money, equipment money, it’s everything that Special Olympics needs to provide for its athletes.”

The Law Enforcement Torch Run sponsors the plunge and helps to raise money for Special Olympics year-round.

Each plunge team raises 100 dollars, and every plunger gets a prize. High school and college students who plunge will be entered in a drawing for a 500 dollar scholarship. A trophy will go to the team that raises the most money.