27th annual Polar Bear Plunge set for Jan. 19

The 27th annual Polar Bear Plunge will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 19 at East Carolina University’s Eakin Student Recreation Center (ESRC). The milestone event, which started in 1997, will provide all the excitement, fun and tradition of previous Polar Bear Plunge events. 

ECU’s most famous winter tradition is open to all ECU students, faculty and staff. Participants will take the plunge into the ice-cold water of the ESRC outdoor pool. The first 600 participants will get a T-shirt and custom deck of playing cards designed especially for Polar Bear Plunge.

Registration will begin at 6 p.m. and all jumpers must present their ECU 1Card or ECU Rec app digital ID, bring a swimsuit and complete a waiver form. Registration and the waiver will be through the ECU Rec app.

The first plunge in 1997 involved just 35 participants, and the all-time record occurred in 2014 with 1,200 jumpers hitting the pool. In January 2022, nearly 670 plungers participated.

After the jump, participants can enjoy refreshments and entertainment and attend the ECU Student Involvement Fair, which showcases many of ECU’s 475-plus student organizations.

What: 27th annual Polar Bear Plunge
When: Jan. 19, 6:30-9 p.m.
Where: ECU Eakin Student Recreation Center
Who: ECU students, faculty and staff

For additional information contact Jenny Gregory, Polar Bear Plunge coordinator, at gregoryje@ecu.edu or 252-328-4942.

MEDIA NOTE: If you are interested in covering this event on-site, including live coverage, you must contact ECU Campus Recreation and Wellness no later than Jan. 17 so that staff can provide additional information and designate specific media locations at the Eakin Student Recreation Center.

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Phone: 252-328-6481
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