Special Olympian prepares for Polar Plunge

Special Olympics athlete Cole Carlson, 26, is set to be a featured participant as momentum builds for the 2026 Dufferin Polar Plunge, taking place March 29 at the Centre Dufferin Recreation Complex in the Town of Shelburne.

Carlson has lived in Mulmur Township his entire life, and graduated from Orangeville District Secondary School in 2020. Special Olympics has played an important role in his life, offering him community, friendships, and the opportunity to compete as part of a team.

Carlson was first introduced to Special Olympics in 2007 through his school’s athletic programming. He went on to compete in two Special Olympics School Championships in track and field, earning medals at both events. In 2015, he joined Special Olympics Dufferin as a member of the Dufferin Thunder curling team. Since then, he has participated in basketball, soccer, track and field, andcurrently competes on both the bocce and swim teams.

Special Olympics and the Dufferin Ontario Provincial Police has proudly participated in every Polar Plunge held in Dufferin County. The event’s signature award, the Frozen Belt, has been earned by Dufferin’s highest overall fundraiser in both 2024 and 2025, with Special Olympics athletes winning the honour both years.

The 2026 Polar Plunge promises to be a standout event. It remains the only indoor plunge in Canada, taking place at centre ice inside the arena. As part of the lead-up to the event, a challenge has been issued to Dufferin County council to have a representative from each municipality take the plunge.