Hundreds of residents from the Eugene area gathered at Maurie Jacobs City Park on Saturday, Feb. 22 for the annual 2014 Polar Plunge Eugene. Participants ran, jumped, crawled and swam into the frigid waters of the Willamette River to raise funds to support Special Olympics Oregon athletes. According to their website, 303 Plungers raised $34,287 in support of Special Olympics Oregon athletes.
A large wave of people run into the Willamette River for the Polar Plunge. Hundreds of Eugene residents participated in the Polar Plunge to raise funds for Special Olympics Oregon athletes at Maurie Jacobs City Park in Eugene, Ore., on Feb. 22, 2014. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
The Oregon cheerleading team race into the Willamette River during the tenth wave of people at the Polar Plunge. Hundreds of Eugene residents participated in the Polar Plunge to raise funds for Special Olympics Oregon athletes at Maurie Jacobs City Park in Eugene, Ore., on Feb. 22, 2014. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
The Register-Guard circulation information systems manager Pete Knapp reacts to the cold waters of the Willamette River. Hundreds of Eugene residents participated in the Polar Plunge to raise funds for Special Olympics Oregon athletes at Maurie Jacobs City Park in Eugene, Ore., on Feb. 22, 2014. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
A group dressed up as pirates run into the water during the second wave of the Polar Plunge. Hundreds of Eugene residents participated in the Polar Plunge to raise funds for Special Olympics Oregon athletes at Maurie Jacobs City Park in Eugene, Ore., on Feb. 22, 2014. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
KMTR news anchor Ty Steele dives into the Willamette River. Hundreds of Eugene residents participated in the Polar Plunge to raise funds for Special Olympics Oregon athletes at Maurie Jacobs City Park in Eugene, Ore., on Feb. 22, 2014. (Michael Shaw/Emerald)
The Lane County Sheriff Dive Team huddle together as they look for a participant’s missing glasses. Hundreds of Eugene residents participated in the Polar Plunge to raise funds for Special Olympics Oregon athletes at Maurie Jacobs City Park in Eugene, Ore., on Feb. 22, 2014. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
Team “Where’s Waldo” gets interviewed by KMTR news before taking the plunge in the Willamette River. Hundreds of Eugene residents participated in the Polar Plunge to raise funds for Special Olympics Oregon athletes at Maurie Jacobs City Park in Eugene, Ore., on Feb. 22, 2014. (Michael Shaw/Emerald)
The Duck tests the water before the start of the Polar Plunge. Hundreds of Eugene residents participated in the Polar Plunge to raise funds for Special Olympics Oregon athletes at Maurie Jacobs City Park in Eugene, Ore., on Feb. 22, 2014. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
The Oregon cheerleaders stand on the bank of the Willamette River before taking the plunge. Hundreds of Eugene residents participated in the Polar Plunge to raise funds for Special Olympics Oregon athletes at Maurie Jacobs City Park in Eugene, Ore., on Feb. 22, 2014. (Michael Shaw/Emerald)
Members of Kappa Alpha Theta hold each others hands as they walk into the frigid water. Hundreds of Eugene residents participated in the Polar Plunge to raise funds for Special Olympics Oregon athletes at Maurie Jacobs City Park in Eugene, Ore., on Feb. 22, 2014. (Michael Shaw/Emerald)
The Oregon cheerleading team high-fives the Lane County Sheriff Dive Team as they make their way to the edge of the marked-off area. Hundreds of Eugene residents participated in the Polar Plunge to raise funds for Special Olympics Oregon athletes at Maurie Jacobs City Park in Eugene, Ore., on Feb. 22, 2014. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
The Oregon Duck hides behind a tree before the start of the Polar Plunge. Hundreds of Eugene residents participated in the Polar Plunge to raise funds for Special Olympics Oregon athletes at Maurie Jacobs City Park in Eugene, Ore., on Feb. 22, 2014. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
The Lane County Sheriff Dive Team get ready in the Willamette River for the start of the Polar Plunge. Hundreds of Eugene residents participated in the Polar Plunge to raise funds for Special Olympics Oregon athletes at Maurie Jacobs City Park in Eugene, Ore., on Feb. 22, 2014. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
The Lane County Sheriff Dive Team discuss their safety plan before heading out into the cold waters of the Willamette River. Hundreds of Eugene residents participated in the Polar Plunge to raise funds for Special Olympics Oregon athletes at Maurie Jacobs City Park in Eugene, Ore., on Feb. 22, 2014. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
Multiple teams participating in the Polar Plunge wait in front of the main tent during the costume contest. Hundreds of Eugene residents participated in the Polar Plunge to raise funds for Special Olympics Oregon athletes at Maurie Jacobs City Park in Eugene, Ore., on Feb. 22, 2014. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)
A member of the Oregon cheerleading team gives one of the rescue divers a high five. Hundreds of Eugene residents participated in the Polar Plunge to raise funds for Special Olympics Oregon athletes at Maurie Jacobs City Park in Eugene, Ore., on Feb. 22, 2014. (Michael Shaw/Emerald)
Members of the Oregon cheerleading team take a photo inside the PhotoSwagon before taking a dive into the Willamette River. Hundreds of Eugene residents participated in the Polar Plunge to raise funds for Special Olympics Oregon athletes at Maurie Jacobs City Park in Eugene, Ore., on Feb. 22, 2014. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)