From left, Wakarusa Volunteer firemen Alan Erber, Kyle Evans and Seth Buckley dressed as pirates as they were part of some 40 people taking part in this years Polar Plunge on Saturday February 27, 2010 at Bloomington Beach at Clinton Lake, benefiting Special Olympics.

32.5 degrees.

Just warm enough to melt a small portion of Clinton Lake so that three dozen “polar plungers” could quickly jump in and out Saturday to help the Douglas County Special Olympics.

Brave crews of volunteer plungers came decked out in a diverse assortment of themed costumes, including a group of Wakarusa Township firefighters dressed as seabound pirates.

The pirates, and a lone parrot, barreled through the cold water all the way to a buoy and back. When a treasure chest-carrying member of the crew fell on the run back to shore, his teammates were there to help.

“We’re not leaving anyone behind!” yelled a fellow pirate.

Firefighter Robert Jameson, wearing an eye patch, said the event was a fun way for the fire department to get involved with the community. Jameson and the pirates raised about $1,000 in donation pledges for the plunge.

The event was in its second year locally and its 12th year in Kansas. Organizer Luke Schulte said the plunge will raise about $10,000 for the local Special Olympics, and more than $200,000 in the state with varying plunges scheduled in the coming weeks.

In addition to the pirates, Topeka nurse Amanda Crabbs participated in Olympic-themed attire, dressed as her favorite winter Olympian, Apolo Ohno. Crabbs said she was taking the plunge because she’s “always wanted to.” Moments before the plunge, Crabbs said she came with one goal.

“I expect not to die,” she said.

Crabbs and the other plungers all made it safely out of the water and hurried to the warming tent.

Seth Buckley, another pirate firefighter, said the water was so cold it had a numbing effect.

“You don’t feel anything once you get in,” he said, adding that the cold slowed him down on the run back to shore, freezing up his muscles.

Would he return next year for the plunge?

“Once I forget about the cold, maybe,” he said.