Feb. 01, 2025: Plungers exit the cold Chesapeake Bay after the first plunge of the day. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Plungers ran into the cold Chesapeake Bay on Saturday, Feb. 1, marking the 29th annual Special Olympics Maryland Polar Bear Plunge. The fundraising event, in which individuals pledge $100 or more for the chance to brave icy waters, saw a huge turnout. Those plunging are doing so in support of over 19,000 athletes and Unified® teammates who train and compete year-round free of charge.
Calvert County residents David Borton and his daughter Bella take a dip in the Chesapeake Bay during the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. (Brian Krista/Staff)Jim Jones and Dawn Geigran with Ravens Roost #115 of Westminster are seen in their Ravens gear before a plunge during the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. (Brian Krista/Staff)
Rose Stavrou of Annapolis reacts to the cold water of the Chespeake Bay as she plunges in memory of a friend, Carl Schwartz, during the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. (Brian Krista/Staff)People plunge in the cold water of the Chesapeake Bay during the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. (Brian Krista/Staff)Bella Borton of Calvert County participates in a plunge during the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. (Brian Krista/Staff)
Plungers take to the cold water of the Chesapeake Bay during the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. (Brian Krista/Staff)Plungers take to the cold water of the Chesapeake Bay during the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. (Brian Krista/Staff)Nori Calvert of Towson, left, and Tammy Long of Kent Island get ready to participate in a plunge during the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. (Brian Krista/Staff)
Tim Sherno, left, a Minnesota resident is joined by Chris Chamberlin of Millersville as they plunge during the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. (Brian Krista/Staff)Plungers take to the cold water of the Chesapeake Bay during the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. (Brian Krista/Staff)Paul Schwartz of Atlanta goes up to his neck as he plunges in memory of his son, Carl Schwartz, during the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. (Brian Krista/Staff)
Costumed plungers participate in a costume contest before a plunge during the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. (Brian Krista/Staff)Feb. 01, 2025: The dive safety team enters the beach for the second plunge. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)Feb. 01, 2025: Beary White waves to the crowd. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Feb. 01, 2025: Plungers race to dive into the cold Chesapeake Bay for the second plunge of the day. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)Feb. 01, 2025: Plungers race run into the cold Chesapeake Bay for the second plunge of the day. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)Feb. 01, 2025: Plungers race run into and exit the cold Chesapeake Bay for the second plunge of the day. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Feb. 01, 2025: Plungers race run into and exit the cold Chesapeake Bay for the second plunge of the day. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)Feb. 01, 2025: Plungers race run into and exit the cold Chesapeake Bay for the second plunge of the day. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)Feb. 01, 2025: Plungers race run into and exit the cold Chesapeake Bay for the second plunge of the day. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Feb. 01, 2025: Plungers race run into and exit the cold Chesapeake Bay for the second plunge of the day. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)Feb. 01, 2025: Plungers race run into and exit the cold Chesapeake Bay for the second plunge of the day. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)Feb. 01, 2025: Plunger Ra Wilkins exits the cold Chesapeake Bay for the second plunge of the day. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
LaWanda Ewing of Hanover runs out of the water in a flamingo-themed outift during the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. (Brian Krista/Staff)Feb. 01, 2025: Helen Hildalgo, of Davidsonville, exits the cold Chesapeake Bay with her arms raised in victory. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)Feb. 01, 2025: Christian May, of Odenton, exits the cold Chesapeake Bay in a green dress as punishment for coming in last in his fantasy football league. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Feb. 01, 2025: Christian May, left, of Odenton, accompanied by his nephew Devon Neff, 13, of Glen Burnie, exits the cold Chesapeake Bay in a green dress as punishment for coming in last in his fantasy football league. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)Feb. 01, 2025: Plungers exit the cold Chesapeake Bay after the first plunge of the day. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)Feb. 01, 2025: Plungers exit the cold Chesapeake Bay after the first plunge of the day. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Feb. 01, 2025: Plungers exit the cold Chesapeake Bay after the first plunge of the day. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)Feb. 01, 2025: Plungers exit the cold Chesapeake Bay after the first plunge of the day. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)Feb. 01, 2025: Christian May, of Odenton, runs into the Chesapeake Bay in a green dress as punishment for coming in last in his fantasy football league. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Feb. 01, 2025: Plungers run into the Chesapeake Bay. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)Feb. 01, 2025: Plungers begin to gather on the beach to get ready to run into the Chesapeake Bay. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)Feb. 01, 2025: Plungers from Kennedy Krieger gather for a photo. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Feb. 01, 2025: PlungerJan Linkenhoker gets ready to run into the Chesapeake Bay. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)Feb. 01, 2025: Plungers begin to gather on the beach to get ready to run into the Chesapeake Bay. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)Feb. 01, 2025: Maryland Governor Wes Moore greets attendees as he arrives at the event. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Feb. 01, 2025: Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Lt. Governor Aruna Miller greet Maryland State Troopers as he arrives at the event. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)Feb. 01, 2025: Maryland Governor Wes Moore greets attendees as he arrives at the event. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)Feb. 01, 2025: Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Lt. Governor Aruna Miller greet Maryland State Troopers as he arrives at the event. The MSP Polar Bear Plunger benefiting Special Olympics Maryland held their 29th annual Maryland Plunge Saturday at Sandy Point State Park. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Bayard Catron of Potomac is seen in a Nemo outfit while plunging during the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. (Brian Krista/Staff)Nate Taylor, a 13-year-old Special Olympic athlete from Baltimore County runs from the water as he plunges with his mother Amber Olig during the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. (Brian Krista/Staff)Plungers take to the cold water of the Chesapeake Bay during the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. (Brian Krista/Staff)
Members of the Bikers Without Borders Maryland Chapter 7, representing Westminster, pose for a group photo entering the water during the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. The group, in its first year participating, raised over $4,000 for Special Olympics Maryland. (Brian Krista/Staff)Plungers get ready to take to the water during the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. (Brian Krista/Staff)Members of the Bikers Without Borders Maryland Chapter 7, representing Westminster, make their way to the water during the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. The group, in its first year participating, raised over $4,000 for Special Olympics Maryland. (Brian Krista/Staff)
Chris "Weebles" Shumaker, president of Bikers Without Borders Maryland Chapter 7, representing Westminster, participates in a plunge during the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. The group, in its first year participating, raised over $4,000 for Special Olympics Maryland. (Brian Krista/Staff)Taylor Miller, left, and Carrie Clayton with the group Bikers Without Borders Maryland Chapter 7, representing Westminster, react to the cold temperatures of the Chesapeake Bay while plunging during the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. The group, in its first year participating, raised over $4,000 for Special Olympics Maryland. (Brian Krista/Staff)Plungers get ready to take to the cold water of the Chesapeake Bay during the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. (Brian Krista/Staff)
Governor Wes Moore is greeted by Harford County Special Olympics athlete Stacey Hull as he arrives for the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. (Brian Krista/Staff)Governor Wes Moore is greeted by Anne Arundel County Special Olympics athlete Amanda Moore as he arrives for the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. (Brian Krista/Staff)Governor Wes Moore is joined on stage by several Special Olympics athletes as they help kick off the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. (Brian Krista/Staff)
Therese DiVita, left, and Jean Eisenhaur, mothers of Special Olympic athletes from Montgomery County, plunge together during the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. (Brian Krista/Staff)Governor Wes Moore is joined on stage by Harford County Special Olympics athlete Stacey Hull as they help kick off the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. (Brian Krista/Staff)LaWanda Ewing of Hanover dances in a flamingo-themed outift during the 2025 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park on Saturday. (Brian Krista/Staff)
