Bonfires crackled on the beach at the Oak Mountain State Park swimming area as close to 100 people ran, dove or gingerly walked into the frigid lake waters as part of the 2016 Polar Plunge on Jan. 30.
The event was put on by the Alabama Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics and helps pay for the Alabama Special Olympics, which draws more than 14,000 athletes.
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Frank Couch
Pelham Fire Department Explores take to the water . Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
The team from the Pelham Police Department were the first to hit the water. Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
A team from the Irondale Police Department readies for the plunge. Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
A team from the Mountain Brook Police Department hit the water second. Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
Pelham Mayor Gary Waters after his plunge in a pink bunny suit. Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
Paul Wallace from team Mattress Firm takes a running dive into the chilly waters. Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
A team from the Irondale Police Department returns from the plunge. Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
Polar Plunge participants warm by fires built on the beach. Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
Participants in the costume contest played it up for the judges before they hit the water. Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
A team from the Mountain Brook Police Department hit the water second. Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
Pelham Fire Department Explores take to the water . Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
A team from the Irondale Police Department returns from the plunge. Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
A team from the Irondale Police Department warms up by a fire on the beach. Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
Pelham Fire Department Explores take to the water . Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
Participants in the costume contest played it up for the judges before they hit the water. Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
Pelham Fire Department Explores take to the water . Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
Pelham firefighter Adam Moore greets plungers in the water. Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
Spectators cheer from dry land. Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
A team of trolls from Shelby County 911 took home the prize of costume contest winners. Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
Participants in the costume contest played it up for the judges before they hit the water. Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
A team of trolls from Shelby County 911 took home the prize of costume contest winners. Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
Participants in the costume contest played it up for the judges before they hit the water. Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
Pelham mayor Gary Waters pleads for votes to win the costume contest. Participants in the costume contest played it up for the judges before they hit the water. Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
Participants in the costume contest played it up for the judges before they hit the water. Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
The team from the Pelham Police Department were the first to hit the water. Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
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Frank Couch
The team from the Pelham Police Department were the first to hit the water. Teams raised funds and donations to support athletes competing Special Olympics then took a dip into the chilly waters off the beach at the park. The 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Alabama held at Oak Mountain State Park Saturday January 30, 2016 in Pelham, Alabama. Photo By Frank Couch
“It is a great time and fun experience, said Debbie Sumrall, a deputy with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. “We get to meet our athletes, and you get to see who you are raising money for.”
Teams and individuals raised money from sponsors as they pledged to jump into the lake in the middle of winter. An announcement that over $11,000 was raised during the event brought a roar from the crowd of mostly dry spectators.
Before the participants hit the water, a costume contest was held on the beach. Among those who plunged into the lake were people dressed as a penguin, rabbit, Great Gatsby characters and a mermaid. The winners from Shelby County 911 dressed as trolls.
Teams from police and fire departments and businesses took turns making a short run across the beach before they got wet. The Pelham Fire Department had a boat in the water and divers donning dry suits to monitor swimmers as they made the frigid swim.
