Winni Dip

FAQ

General       Donations       Laconia Dip       Check-In       Guests       DIY Dip

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 eight Winter Water Sports events annually:

    • Penguin Plunge
    • Prep School Plunge
    • High School Plunge
    • Winni Dip 
    • Law Enforcement Dip
    • High School Dip
    • Middle School Dip 
    • Mega Dip

What is a Dipper?

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A Dipper is a person who participates in one of our Dip events (Law Enforcement Dip, High School Dip, Middle School Dip, Mega Dip or Winni Dip).

How do I hand in my cash and check donations?

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Drop off any cash or checks to any New Hampshire TD Bank! Make sure when you arrive to the TD Bank you do the following:

  • Let the teller know you would like to deposit in the “Special Olympics Dip” account
  • Write your name on the deposit slip so we can credit the funds to your Dip
  • Take a picture of the deposit receipt and email it, along with any applicable cash donor record forms, to Emily Kunelius at EmilyK@sonh.org 
  • Funds will be credited to your Dip, 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 TD Bank in NH near you here

Don’t live near a TD Bank?

  • Mail checks to SONH at PO Box 3598 Concord, NH 03302
  • Please do not mail cash. If you have cash donations, please use the offline donation feature on your Plunge page or transfer cash to a money order at a local bank and mail that to us!

Can I share the funds I raised with another participant?

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Yes! You can transfer funds from one person to another. This can be done:

  • before the event by emailing Fallon Wall at FallonW@sonh.org with the name of the Dipper who you would like to give funds to and the amount, and she'll make the change
  • during check-in by completing this Funds Transfer Form

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

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No, we have a waiver and registration form that can be completed and sent to Fallon Wall at FallonW@sonh.org. However, to guarantee your DIY Kit is delivered to you in time, please submit your waiver and registration by Sunday, March 5th

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, Prep School Plunge, and High School Dip are open to high school-aged students and faculty.

The Middle School Dip is open to middle school-aged students and faculty.

DIY events are open to all ages. 

Can my employer sponsor the Winter Water Sports?

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YES!  Check out these sponsorship opportunities here.  Please contact Mindee Greenberg for more information at MindeeG@sonh.org or call (508) 208-5201.

I know a business that would be interested in sponsoring the Winter Water Sports, who do I direct them to?

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Please contact Mindee Greenberg for more information at MindeeG@sonh.org or call (508) 208-5201.

Donations

How do I hand in my cash and check donations?

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You can hand in cash or checks during check-in, or drop off any cash or checks to any New Hampshire TD Bank! 

Make sure when you arrive to the TD Bank you do the following:

  • Let the teller know you would like to deposit in the “Special Olympics Dip” account
  • Write your name on the deposit slip so we can credit the funds to your Dip
  • Take a picture of the deposit receipt and email it, along with any applicable cash donor record forms, Emily Kunelius at EmilyK@sonh.org 
  • Funds will be credited to your Dip, 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 TD Bank in NH near you here

Don’t live near a TD Bank?

  • Bring cash or checks to check-in
  • Mail checks to SONH at PO Box 3598 Concord, NH 03302
  • Please do not mail cash. If you have cash donations, please use the offline donation feature on your Plunge page or transfer cash to a money order at a local bank and mail that to us!

Can I share the funds I raised with another participant?

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Yes! You can transfer funds from one person to another. This can be done:

  • before the event by emailing Fallon Wall at FallonW@sonh.org with the name of the Dipper who you would like to give funds to and the amount, and she'll make the change
  • during check-in by completing this Funds Transfer Form

Laconia Dip

How far into the water do I have to go?

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That is completely up to you! Some people dip a toe into the icy Lake while others dive right in.

What should I bring to the Dip?

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Warm, loose clothing to change into after you Dip. We strongly recommend Dippers wear sneakers and wool socks into the water. There's no need to bring a towel as one will be provided to you upon exiting the water.

Do all Dippers dip at the same time?

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No. Dippers are grouped into waves consisting of about 30 Dippers each. A Dipper's wave is determined by number of years that person has dipped. All teams are grouped into the same wave.

What wave will I be in?

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Your wave is assigned based on he number of years you've been dipping. Every member of a team will be assigned the same wave (based on the Dipper in your team who has Dipped for the most years). People who have been Dipping the longest will be in Wave A; new Dippers will be in Wave C.

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

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Yes! Make sure you and your friend are registered as members of the same team and then you'll be in the same wave.

What happens after the Dip?

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The Dip Party takes place right after the Plunge. Food and music are provided at the Margate. Costume and fundraising awards are presented.

Check-in

I registered online; do I need to check-in?

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Yes! All Dippers (registered or not) have to check-in.

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

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Every Dipper must raise at least $400 to Dip. If you have not yet raised the minimum on Dip Day, you can complete a deferred payment form. We will record a credit card number and if $400 has not been raised 30 days after the Dip, you credit card will be charged for the outstanding balance.

Can I share funds with another Dipper who did not reach the fundraising minimum?

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Not a problem! You can transfer funds from one dipper to another. You will be taken care of at the Special Circumstances table.

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

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Yes, regardless of when you register, you will still be in the same wave as your band of bears.

I want to buy additional lunches, am I able to do that?

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You can purchase additional lunch wristbands for $20 each at 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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All Dippers need to check-in - even if you registered and raised funds online.

You do not need to bring any proof of your fundraising, we have the ability to check how much money has been raised through your page at check-in

Guests

Can I bring guests to the Dip Party?

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Each Dipper may receive two wristbands (one for the Dipper and one for a guest) that allow entry to the Margate for the Dip Party. Additional wristbands are available for $20 each. Space is limited and wristbands will be sold on a first come first served basis. Only registered Dippers and guest with wristbands are allowed into the Margate.

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

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Spectators are welcome to stand along the outside perimeter of the fence line designating the official Dip Zone; in order to watch the action. Spectators are not allowed entry into the changing areas or Dip Zone.

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 allowed to enter the Dip Zone, which is the fenced-off area. We know this is disappointing for supporters who want to see the action up close, but these crowds of spectators create a hazardous situation for Dippers who are trying to enter and exit the water quickly, only to find that they are being blocked or worse, pushed back by a large group of enthusiastic onlookers.

DIY Dip

What if I haven’t met the fundraising minimum?

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We would like to deliver DIY Kits to our Dippers. To do that we will guarantee your DIY Kit is delivered if the minimum amount is raised by March 5th.  DIY Kits are guaranteed to be delivered by March 10th

Don’t panic if you haven’t met the minimum by March 5th. You can complete a deferred payment form and send it to Emily Kunelius at EmilyK@sonh.org- she will follow up to record a credit card number. This allows you 30 more days to reach the fundraising minimum and still guarantee that you will receive your DIY Kit by the 10th. If you are unable to meet the minimum 30 days after the event, we will process your card with the outstanding balance.

If you hit the fundraising minimum after March 5th, we will do everything we can to get your DIY Kit to you in time.

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

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No, we have a waiver and registration form that can be completed and sent to Fallon Wall at FallonW@sonh.org. Please submit your waiver and registration by Sunday, March 5th to guarantee your DIY Kit is delivered to you in time.