Over a hundred daring individuals braved the freezing temperatures of last Saturday to jump into an icy pool for the West Virginia Special Olympics’ Polar Plunge.

A crust of ice formed when the pool was partially filled on Friday night. Chunks of ice remained following the last addition of water on Saturday prior to the 5 p.m. plunge.

The fundraiser was held at the Hurricane City Park on February 5, and featured a costume contest for jumpers who like to dress up, as well as an after party at Fireside Grille in Teays Valley.

Among the 102 plungers was Peyton Edwards, daughter of Hurricane Mayor Scott Edwards. At the Monday, February 7 Hurricane City Council meeting, Edwards said that Peyton reported that her polar plunge caused her to lose her breath.

Jason Knapp served as the master of ceremonies for the Polar Plunge, and directed the jumpers preparing to make the plunge into the frigid pool. An ambulance was parked nearby with emergency crews on the scene in case of accidents.

This is the fifth year that the Polar Plunge has been held in Hurricane. The West Virginia Special Olympics holds Polar Plunge events throughout the state in the months of January and February. Proceeds from these fundraisers go towards providing training for athletes with intellectual and physical disabilities.

The 2022 Hurricane Polar Plunge made over $20,000 for the West Virginia Special Olympics.