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Penguin Plunge

FAQs

General       Donations       Hampton Plunge       Check-In       Guests       DIY Plunge

General

What are Winter Water Sports?

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Winter Water Sports are fundraising events where people raise money to plunge into cold water during Winter.

We offer six Winter Water Sports events annually:

    • Penguin Plunge
    • High School Plunge
    • Winni Dip 
    • Law Enforcement Dip
    • Cool Schools Dip
    • Mega Dip

What is a Plunger?

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A Plunger is a person who participates in one of our Plunge events (Penguin Plunge or High School Plunge).

Do I have to register and create a fundraising page online to participate in the Plunge?

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No, we have a waiver and registration form that can be completed and sent to us at specialolympics@sonh.org or turned in during check-in.

Are there age requirements to participate in the Winter Water Sports?

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All Penguin Plunge, Winni Dip, Law Enforcement Dip, and Mega Dip participants who attend the in-person events at Hampton and Laconia must be at least 15 years of age.

The High School Plunge is open to high school-aged students and faculty.

The Cool Schools Dip is open to high school and middle school-aged students and faculty.

DIY events are open to all ages. 

Are sponsorship opportunities available for the Winter Water Sports?

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YES! We're currently finalizing our Winter Water Sports 2027 sponsorship opportunities.

Interested in partnering with us? We'd love to start the conversation. Please contact Mary Conroy at MaryC@sonh.org or (603) 770-4055 for more information.

Donations

How do I hand in my cash and check donations?

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You can hand in cash or checks at event check-in, or deposit checks at any New Hampshire TD Bank.

Depositing checks at TD Bank (NH locations only)
If you are depositing a check, please do the following:

  • Let the teller know you would like to deposit into the “Special Olympics Plunge” account
  • Write your name on the deposit slip so we can credit the funds to your Plunge
  • Take a photo of the deposit receipt and email it, along with any applicable cash donor record forms, to Emily Kunelius at EmilyK@sonh.org  on the same day the deposit is made


Funds will be credited to your Plunge, donors will be thanked, and the donation will be added to your online fundraising page.

Please allow 3–5 business days for processing.

Find a New Hampshire TD Bank near you

What about cash donations?
Due to banking regulation changes, TD Bank now requires additional verification for individuals depositing cash into an account that is not their own. Because of this, we recommend one of the options below if you have cash donations:

  • Bring cash to event check-in
  • Enter the cash amount as an offline donation on your fundraising page (you’ll use your personal credit card to cover the amount)
  • Deposit cash at TD Bank by either:
    • Writing a personal check for the total cash amount being deposited (please send any cash donor record forms to Emily so donors can be properly recognized), or
    • Completing TD Bank’s process to be added as a conductor on the account (this requires providing personal information, including date of birth and Social Security number)


Don’t live near a TD Bank?

  • Bring cash or checks to event check-in
  • Mail checks only to:
Special Olympics New Hampshire
PO Box 3598
Concord, NH 03302 
  • Enter the cash amount as an offline donation on your fundraising page (you’ll use your personal credit card to cover the amount.  Please do not mail cash.

Can I share the funds I raised with another participant?

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Yes! You can transfer funds from one participant to another.

Transfers can be requested:

  • Before the event by emailing specialolympics@sonh.org with the name of the participant transferring the funds, the name of the participant receiving the funds, and the amount you'd like transferred.
  • At check-in by completing the Funds Transfer Form

Will Special Olympics New Hampshire accept a matching gift from my company?

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You can double or triple your support of Special Olympics athletes through your company’s matching gift program. Visit your personnel office to ask if they match charitable donations, obtain a matching gift form, fill it out completely and mail it along with your contribution to:

Special Olympics New Hampshire
PO Box 3598
Concord, NH 03302

Any questions please contact Emily at Emilyk@sonh.org or (603) 343-7719.

Hampton Plunge

How far into the water do I have to go?

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That's entirely up to you. Some participants dip a toe into the icy Atlantic, while others dive right in. There is no minimum distance required.

What should I bring to the Plunge?

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Bring warm, dry clothes to change into after your Plunge. We strongly recommend wearing sneakers and wool socks into the water. If you're planning to wear a heavy costume, consider bringing a separate outfit for plunging.

No towel? No problem. We'll provide one when you come out of the water.

Where can I park at Hampton Beach?

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There are several metered parking lots available along the beach. There are also several parking lots along the side streets, as well as behind the Casino. Handicapped accessible parking is available.

Do all Plungers plunge at the same time?

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No. Plungers are assigned to waves of approximately 200 participants each to help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Wave assignments are based on the number of years a participant has taken part in the Penguin Plunge, and all members of a team (or flock) are assigned to the same wave.

What wave will I be in?

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Your wave assignment is based on the number of years you've participated in the Penguin Plunge. Participants who have been plunging the longest are assigned to the earliest waves, with Wave A made up of our most experienced plungers.

If you're part of a team (or flock), everyone on your team will be assigned to the same wave. Team wave assignments are based on the team member with the highest number of years participating in the Plunge.

Can my friend be in the same wave as I am?

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Yes! If you'd like to plunge in the same wave as a friend, make sure you're both registered as members of the same team (or flock). Team members are assigned to the same wave, so you'll be able to take the plunge together.

What happens after the Plunge?

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After the Plunge, participants and guests are invited to the post-Plunge celebration at the Casino Ballroom. Enjoy lunch, music, and time to warm up with fellow plungers before the awards ceremony.

Awards are presented for top fundraisers, top teams, and costume contest winners.

Check-in

I did all my fundraising online. Do I still have to check-in? Do I need to bring a printout of my page?

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Yes! All participants must check in, even if they registered and completed all of their fundraising online. Every participant is required to sign a paper waiver at check-in before participating in the Plunge.

No, you do not need to bring a printout of your fundraising page. We have the ability to view your online fundraising totals and donation history during check-in.

What if I have not met the $400 fundraising minimum?

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All plungers are required to raise a minimum of $400 to participate. If you haven't reached the minimum by Plunge Day, you can complete a Deferred Payment Form at check-in.

As part of the process, you'll provide a credit card number. You'll then have 30 days after the Plunge to continue fundraising. If the $400 minimum has not been met by that time, your credit card will be charged for the remaining balance needed to reach the minimum.

Can I share funds with another Plunger?

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Yes! You can transfer funds from one participant to another.

Transfers can be requested:

  • Before the event by emailing specialolympics@sonh.org with the name of the participant transferring the funds, the name of the participant receiving the funds, and the amount you'd like transferred.
  • At check-in by completing the Funds Transfer Form

I haven't registered yet. Will I still be in the same wave as my flock?

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Yes. As long as you register as a member of your flock, you'll be assigned to the same wave as the rest of your team, regardless of when you register.

Wave assignments are based on the team member with the highest number of years participating in the Penguin Plunge, so the entire flock can plunge together.

Guests

Can I bring guests to the post-Plunge Celebration?

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Yes! Each registered plunger receives one complimentary guest wristband at check-in, in addition to their own wristband, for access to the Casino Ballroom and post-Plunge celebration.

Additional guest wristbands may be purchased for $20 each, subject to availability. Because space is limited, extra wristbands are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

For everyone's safety and comfort, only registered plungers and guests with wristbands are permitted inside the Casino Ballroom.

Where is the best place for spectators to watch the Plunge?

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Spectators are welcome to cheer on participants from outside the fenced perimeter of the official Plunge Zone. This area offers a great view of the action while helping us maintain a safe experience for everyone involved.

For safety reasons, spectators are not permitted inside the changing tents or the Plunge Zone itself. Please plan to watch from the designated spectator areas surrounding the event.

Why can't my friend/relative go to the water with me?

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For the safety of all participants, spectators are not permitted inside the Plunge Zone, the fenced-off area on the beach where participants enter and exit the water.

While we understand that friends and family want to be close to the action, limiting access to the Plunge Zone helps ensure participants can move safely and efficiently to and from the water. Spectators are encouraged to watch and cheer from the designated viewing areas outside the Plunge Zone, which provide a great view of the event while helping us maintain a safe experience for everyone.

DIY Plunge

What if I haven’t met the fundraising minimum?

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All plungers are required to raise a minimum of $400 to participate. If you haven't reached the minimum by Plunge Day, you can complete a Deferred Payment Form at check-in.

As part of the process, you'll provide a credit card number. You'll then have 30 days after the Plunge to continue fundraising. If the $400 minimum has not been met by that time, your credit card will be charged for the remaining balance needed to reach the minimum.

Do I have to register and create a fundraising page online to participate in the Plunge?

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No, we have a waiver and registration form that can be completed and sent to us at specialolympics@sonh.org or turned in during check-in.