Dozens take the Polar Plunge in downtown Winnipeg

Dozens of people braved the cold for a good cause on Saturday afternoon in downtown Winnipeg

The temperature in Winnipeg hovered around the freezing mark to kick off the weekend, but that didn’t stop dozens of people from jumping into a tank of bone-chilling water for a good cause.

“It never gets warmer, but it’s always great,” participant Ian Bale told CTV News. “Instant pain and instant regret – but you want to get out as soon as you can.”

Bale was one of 82 people who took the Polar Plunge in True North Square on Saturday. It’s an annual fundraiser for Special Olympics Manitoba put on by the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR).

“People are freezin’ for a reason,” Melissa Suggitt, Special Olympics Manitoba’s marketing and communications manager, told CTV News. “We’re so incredibly grateful and appreciate of the community here.”

Saturday’s Polar Plunge marked the final leg of the 2025 tour and helped organizers eclipse $131,000 in donations. Other plunges were held in Brandon, Portage la Prairie, Brandon, Clear Lake, Falcon Lake, Morden, and Thompson over the past few months.

“Our folks out in Thompson had a bit of a time,” Suggitt explained. “They ended up having to plunge into a lake when it was -45 and the water was warmer.”

Suggitt said weather is typically the biggest challenge for plungers but added they’re not the type of people who shy away from a little adversity.

“We have so many repeat plungers,” Suggitt said. “There’s something great about jumping into a tank of cold water for our athletes.”

The $131,000 raised this year will help support Special Olympics Manitoba’s athletes participate in training programs and compete in events like the 2025 Provincial Summer Games.

“It goes towards providing competition opportunities for our athletes across the province, and really just gives them somewhere to belong,” Suggitt said.

The 2025 Provincial Summer Games take place in Winnipeg from June 20-22.