Polar Bear Plunge Scheduled In Southwest Riverside County

HEMET, CA — Looking to participate in a Polar Plunge but don't want to travel too far? How does Hemet sound?

Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District is hosting its Annual Polar Plunge at the Diamond Valley Aquatic Center at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10.

No, you won't be diving into the nearby Diamond Valley Lake. Instead, participants can jump or slide into the Aquatic Center's unheated swimming pool, where the water temperature is expected to be a balmy 50 degrees.

There is no charge to enter the pool, but donations will be accepted for nonprofit organizations, according to Valley-Wide Recreation. Participants and guests can give to the represented charity of their choice. Participating nonprofit organizations are Canine Support Teams; Hemet Concert Association; Let Them Be Little Feline Rescue; Out of the Ashes Organization; Valley Community Pantry; and Valley Restart Shelter.

Charities will keep all of the money donated to them.

The first 50 people who donate at least $10 will receive an event T-shirt.

The Diamond Valley Aquatic Center is located at 1801 Angler Ave., Hemet, near Diamond Valley Lake.