The 23nd Annual Chicago Polar Plunge happened March 5 at North Avenue Beach on Lake Michigan, Chicago. The Polar Plunge benefits the thousands of local athletes in the Special Olympics Chicago / Special Children’s Charities program.

Polar Plunge 2023 by Paul Sager, on Flickr


The Shannon Rovers lead off the annual St Patrick's Day parade. They also lead the city's participants into Lake Michigan for the annual Polar Plunge.

Polar Plunge 2023


The main idea of the 'plunge' is to rush into the icy cold lake and then jump right out of it smiling. There is no need to take the full plunge. You can just go ankle high or knee deep and you're done for the day.

Polar Plunge 2023


The Chicago Polar Plunge attracts people of all ages, demographics, and abilities, just like the athletes of Special Olympics Chicago. Corporations, longtime supporters, family members, friends, and public figures “Take the Plunge” each year in support of Special Olympics.

Polar Plunge 2023


Plungers of all ages participate, with the majority of people between ages 25-34.

Polar Plunge 2023


Participants were encouraged to register in groups and to compete for individual and team awards for costumes.

Polar Plunge 2023


Personally, I hadn't thought about people and groups repeating, not just in annual participation, but also the same outfits. In reviewing images from 2023, I realized many people from 2022 were here again in 2023.

Polar Plunge 2023


Air temps were in the upper 30s, with wonderful sunshine and not much wind. Smiles, cheering and the cause kept participants going.

Polar Plunge 2023


Chicago's Special Olympic athletes compete and train in 17 sports throughout the year in Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Park District locations in the city.

Polar Plunge 2023

The 23nd Annual Chicago Polar Plunge happened March 5 at North Avenue Beach on Lake Michigan, Chicago. The Polar Plunge benefits the thousands of local athletes in the Special Olympics Chicago / Special Children’s Charities program.

Polar Plunge 2023 by Paul Sager, on Flickr


The Shannon Rovers lead off the annual St Patrick's Day parade. They also lead the city's participants into Lake Michigan for the annual Polar Plunge.

Polar Plunge 2023


The main idea of the 'plunge' is to rush into the icy cold lake and then jump right out of it smiling. There is no need to take the full plunge. You can just go ankle high or knee deep and you're done for the day.

Polar Plunge 2023


The Chicago Polar Plunge attracts people of all ages, demographics, and abilities, just like the athletes of Special Olympics Chicago. Corporations, longtime supporters, family members, friends, and public figures “Take the Plunge” each year in support of Special Olympics.

Polar Plunge 2023


Plungers of all ages participate, with the majority of people between ages 25-34.

Polar Plunge 2023


Participants were encouraged to register in groups and to compete for individual and team awards for costumes.

Polar Plunge 2023


Personally, I hadn't thought about people and groups repeating, not just in annual participation, but also the same outfits. In reviewing images from 2023, I realized many people from 2022 were here again in 2023.

Polar Plunge 2023


Air temps were in the upper 30s, with wonderful sunshine and not much wind. Smiles, cheering and the cause kept participants going.

Polar Plunge 2023


Chicago's Special Olympic athletes compete and train in 17 sports throughout the year in Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Park District locations in the city.

Polar Plunge 2023