There were 3,383 enthusiastic participants who braved the cold Atlantic Ocean and took the plunge in Rehoboth Beach at the 27th annual Lewes Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Delaware. Beginning with 78 plungers in 1992, the Plunge has been growing ever since. This year’s total raised was more than $875,000. 

The air temperature was recorded at 47 degrees and the water 37 degrees during the 1 p.m. plunge. The event, sponsored by Wawa, has now raised nearly $11 million in its 27-year history. Special Olympics Delaware provides sports training and competition opportunities for more than 4,200 Delawareans of all ages who have intellectual disabilities.