We are just days away from the sixth annual Polar Plunge, an event which benefits Special Olympics New York. As YNN's Kate McGowan explains, it's an experience that keeps thousands coming back year after year.
To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.
Then come back here and refresh the page.
HAMBURG, N.Y. -- It's exhilarating to say the least.
"It's just nothing like you ever experienced before," said an organizer.
The Western New York Polar Plunge takes place this Saturday. More than 1,000 plungers are expected to show up and brave the cold water at Woodlawn Beach.
Amy Neveaux from Special Olympics said, "It's a parade of 1,000 people and it's very uniform so when you go in, everybody is safe but when you're in that crowd of over 1,000 people, just waiting to get in the water, it's just exhilarating."
And though past years have been a bit colder, this year, organizers predicted warmer conditions.
"The lake is about 45 degrees right now and the weather is supposed to be 48 and nice outside so it's a great day to do it," Neveaux said.
A lot of fun and it's all for a good cause. All proceeds raised on Saturday help the Special Olympics. Organizers said there's a great need for financial support.
"It costs about $400 a year to sponsor an athlete per sport and the majority of our athletes play two to three sports."
Whether it's a slow dip or a fast run into the waters...
"You'll be smiling the whole time."
Registration begins at 11 a.m. and goes until 1 p.m. The actual plunge begins at 2 p.m.