THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 24, 1997 TAG: 9701230123
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 15 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LORI A. DENNEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 45 lines
When it comes to plunging into 30-degree water, different people have different techniques.
Some can only stand the frigid water ankle-deep or knee-deep and others dive right in and swim around. But, most probably do what Scott Schreiber does.
``I get all the way under and then I get all the way out!'' said Schreiber, recalling two previous dips as a participant in the Polar Plunge, a fund-raiser for Special Olympics that's coming up Feb. 1. ``It's fun. There's an adrenaline rush, but I have to admit, it's cold!''
Schreiber is the director of development in the Newport News office of the Virginia Special Olympics Inc. and because he can't ask others to do what he won't do himself, he's taken the chilly Polar Plunge every year since he began working for the organization.
Registration for Polar Plunge V is at 11 a.m. and the event is scheduled for 1 p.m. Feb. 1, at the water's edge at the Holiday Inn Sun Spree resort at 39th Street and Atlantic Avenue. Brave participants get donations from ``sponsors'' to take the big leap into the very chilly Atlantic.
Last year, 335 participants braved 37-degree water and raised $58,000 for the nonprofit organization that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for nearly 11,000 children and adults who are mentally disabled.
The number of participants doubled from the previous year, when 160 plungers raised almost $30,000.
``We have people calling us all the time asking when the plunge will be,'' said Schreiber. ``People are doing something a little crazy, but they're doing it for a great cause.''
The event comes with sponsors and incentives. Participants who raise more than $100 receive a sweat shirt, those who raise $400 or more receive the sweat shirt and a complimentary hotel room at the Holiday Inn Sun Spree for the night of the event.
This year, the grand prize for the person who raises the most money will be two free USAir tickets to Florida. Plungers must raise a minimum of $35 to register for the event and teams of participants are welcome.
Only bathing suits, shorts and T-shirts are allowed for plungers.
Registration applications can be obtained at any Hardee's restaurant or by calling the Virginia Special Olympics at 591-8924.