History of the Plunge

The Lewes Polar Bears, headed by Dave ‘Da Bear’ Frederick, have taken the plunge since 1982. They plunge five times each year at Cape Henlopen State Park on the first Sunday of the month from November through March – except January, when they plunge on New Year’s Day.

The Lewes Polar Bears were approached by Special Olympics Delaware in 1991 with the proposition of designating one of their plunges to benefit Special Olympics. The Bears agreed to February and the 1992 February Plunge was dedicated to Special Olympics Delaware.

In 1992 – 78 people took the plunge at Cape Henlopen State Park and raised $7,000.

In 1995 the weather turned frigid with 0° temperatures and winds gusting to wind chills of minus 25°! A total of 339 bears braved those wicked winds!

In 1996 a nor’easter blew in, dumping two feet of snow and effectively making roads and the park impassable. For the first time the plunge was postponed to the first Sunday in March.

In 1998 a second nor’easter blew in with its resulting damage making the park unusable!!! With two days notice, the Plunge was re-located to Rehoboth Beach. Due to the growing size of the Plunge and in deference to keeping our state park pristine – the Plunge was permanently relocated to Rehoboth in 1999.

In 2009, a record 2,923 Polar Bears hit the waves and raised more than $490,000 for Special Olympics Delaware. The first annual Weekend Festival was held, involving business and organizations in the Rehoboth Beach and surrounding communities coming together to attract Bears and their families to the beach for the entire weekend.

In 2010, a nor'easter arrived the Friday before the Weekend Festival and dumped over two feet of snow across the state, forcing the event to be postponed until March 12 - 14.

In 18 years, the Lewes Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics Delaware has raised over $4.5 million!!

Questions? Please contact us at info@sode.org  or 302-831-4653