News release

West Shore RCMP is getting chilly to support the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics BC

February 17, 2026 - West Shore, British Columbia
From: West Shore RCMP

Content

West Shore RCMP is ready to get bold and cold in the 2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run® Polar Plunge® for Special Olympics BC. The event raises vital funds and awareness to empower athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to strengthen inclusion across our province.

Officers from West Shore RCMP will join Saanich Police, Oak Bay Police, Victoria Police, and Central Saanich Police to brave the cold at Cadboro-Gyro Park on February 22.

They will also be joined by members of the BC Sheriffs Service, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the 5th BC Field Regiment, local bylaw officers, and others.

“West Shore RCMP is proud to support the Polar Plunge. It’s a fun event for an important cause, supporting amazing Special Olympics athletes while bringing officers together from across our region. Having the opportunity to work alongside our policing partners for such a positive purpose makes this event especially meaningful,” said Cst. Gabriel Gravel, Media Relations Officer with West Shore. 

You can click here to donate to the West Shore RCMP Polar Plunge team. 

Event details: 

• February 22, 2026
• Cadboro-Gyro Park (Sinclair Rd, Victoria, BC)
• Opening Ceremonies: 10:40 a.m.
• Plunge: 11:00 a.m.

More about the Polar Plunge:

From February 21 to March 8, people all over the province will get cold and creative in the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics BC, a fun and meaningful way to come together to build belonging and opportunities for athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Plungers choose to get chilly at a community event in more than 16 locations across the province, do a Personal Polar Plunge in a time and location of their choice, or join the Corporate Challenge. 

Find Plunge information and registration

The funds raised through the Polar Plunge help ensure Special Olympics BC can empower athletes with intellectual disabilities through year-round sport, youth, and health programs and competitions at low or no cost to participate. 2026 marks the 10th year of the Polar Plunge in our province, having raised $1.9 million to date to create life-changing opportunities for Special Olympics athletes.

Too many people with intellectual disabilities are still being left behind and forgotten by our society. For many athletes, Special Olympics is the primary place – or for too many, the only place – where they experience vital social connections, healthy physical activity, and opportunities to be seen for their abilities.

“The Polar Plunge is a powerful and fun way to build belonging and opportunities for Special Olympics athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities. On behalf of the 3,400 Special Olympics BC athletes across the province, we extend heartfelt thanks everyone involved with the Polar Plunge for changing lives and building inclusion by supporting our year-round sport programs and competitions,” says Special Olympics BC President & CEO Dan Howe.

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