Shrinkage encouraged: Polar Plunge to hit Auckland and Christchurch

Bikinis, boardies, bodysuits and budgie-smugglers will all be welcomed when Auckland and Christchurch host Polar Plunges this Saturday morning.

North Shore’s Takapuna Beach hosts the inaugural Auckland event, while Christchurch plungers will descend on New Brighton again. Both start at 9am.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run, known globally as Guardians of the Flame, organises events to support the Special Olympics - of which New Zealand has more than 5,000 registered athletes.

The Auckland and Christchurch events follow last week's plunge at Freyberg Beach in Wellington.

Director, Inspector Rupert Friend, says it was an amazing day in the capital, with 170 people taking part - setting the benchmark for this weekend’s plunges.

“Last time I had a look, Auckland had about 80 or so registered, so they have got another 90 to go to beat Wellington and they were level pegging with Christchurch.”

Friend has done six plunges around the world in the last two years and his experience at New Brighton last year was easily the coldest.

“This time last year, we were scraping ice off the windscreen to get there following a nice frost that morning.  The water temperature was about 7 or 8 degrees and you really knew that you were there for a reason.”

He also has some simple advice to first-time plungers.

“Get there, put a smile on, go in, get out fairly quickly and go and keep warm.”

Register for either event here https://letr-polar-plunge.raiselysite.com/

Images supplied by Law Enforcement Torch Run NZ