The first polar plunge in the United States took place in Boston in 1904. Now, Hemet-area residents continued the tradition — in the name of charity. Gunner Medina tries to warm up Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, after sliding into the chilly waters of Hemet’s Diamond Valley Aquatic Center during the annual Polar Plunge. The event raises money for local charities. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer) People line up around the spiral staircase to the waterslide Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at Hemet’s Diamond Valley Aquatic Center during the annual Polar Plunge. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer) Juan Martinez slides Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, into the chilly waters of Hemet’s Diamond Valley Aquatic Center during the annual Polar Plunge. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer) Jack Fernando takes part Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in the annual Polar Plunge at Hemet’s Diamond Valley Aquatic Center. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer) Daniela Esquivel slides Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, into the waters of Hemet’s Diamond Valley Aquatic Center during the annual Polar Plunge. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer) Elijah Lanier reacts after sliding Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, into Hemet’s Diamond Valley Aquatic Center during the annual Polar Plunge. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer) Emma Stinnett, dressed as a polar bear, is seen Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, before people jump into Hemet’s Diamond Valley Aquatic Center for the annual Polar Plunge. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer) Jordan King takes part Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in the Polar Plunge at Hemet’s Diamond Valley Aquatic Center. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer) Radaugh Makalintal slides Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, into the chilly waters of Hemet’s Diamond Valley Aquatic Center during the annual Polar Plunge. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer) Ilka Jordan, Jeniffer Boer and Alphonso Tepito, dressed as walruses, take a selfie Saturday, Jan. 10, 20226, during the Polar Plunge at Hemet’s Diamond Valley Aquatic Center. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer) Erwin Bayquen reacts Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, after sliding into the chilly waters of Hemet’s Diamond Valley Aquatic Center during the annual Polar Plunge. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer) Edward Maszczak slides Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, into Hemet’s Diamond Valley Aquatic Center during the annual Polar Plunge. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer) Pam Flinn reacts after sliding, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, into the chilly waters of Hemet’s Diamond Valley Aquatic Center during the annual Polar Plunge. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer) Juan Martinez reacts Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, after sliding into the chilly waters of Hemet’s Diamond Valley Aquatic Center during the annual Polar Plunge. The event raises money for local charitable organizations. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer) Show Caption1 of 14Gunner Medina tries to warm up Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, after sliding into the chilly waters of Hemet’s Diamond Valley Aquatic Center during the annual Polar Plunge. The event raises money for local charities. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer) Expand The annual polar plunge, sponsored by the Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District, returned to the Diamond Valley Aquatic Center in Hemet on Saturday, Jan. 10. Participants did their best polar bear impersonations by jumping or sliding into the unheated swimming pool, where water temperatures sat around 50 degrees Saturday morning. Related Articles Signs salute grads from Riverside’s Poly High — who will get diplomas 80 years apart Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center plans 25th anniversary gala Residents of Hemet’s Valley Restart Shelter create fifth edition of Cartless magazine ‘Out in the I.E.’ exhibit to open at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California Community groups can apply for Morongo tribe grants The first 50 people to donate at least $10 to one of the participating nonprofit groups received an event T-shirt. Nonprofit organizations that took part included Canine Support Teams, Hemet Concert Association, Let Them Be Little Feline Rescue, Out of the Ashes Organization, Valley Community Pantry and Valley Restart Shelter. The charities will keep all the money donated to them. The Diamond Valley Aquatic Center, at 1801 Angler Ave., is near Diamond Valley Lake. ...read more read less