ABOUT THE KICK-OFF + challenge
A 30-Day Swim Challenge Inspired by Water
At its heart, First Plunge is a 30-day community swim challenge bringing together cold water, shared ritual and fundraising for healthier oceans.Kick off the challenge your way. Host your own local plunge, gather your regular swim crew, begin solo, or join us at Avalon Beach on Sunday, 30 August. Then, from 1–30 September, aim to swim, dip or plunge each day from wherever you find water - an ocean pool, beach, river, lake, harbour or local swimming place.
There is no set distance and no competition. It is simply about showing up, entering the water safely and reconnecting with the places that hold us.
Share your kickoff and 30-day journey using #FirstPlunge.
Different waters. One collective plunge.
CHALLENGE + REGISTRATION
Find Your Water, Gather Your People
Register as an individual or create a team with friends or colleagues, join your regular swim group, or participate remotely from your own local water.
Once registered, you can personalise your fundraising page, set a target, log each daily swim or plunge, upload an image or short update, and watch both your personal progress and the community total grow.
First Plunge is free to join. Fundraising is encouraged but not compulsory.
THE KICK-OFF
Host Your Own, or Join Us at Avalon
Kick off First Plunge your way on Sunday, 30 August.
Gather your local swim crew, organise a small group plunge, begin solo from a place that matters to you, or join the Pony Rider community at Avalon Beach.
At Avalon from 8.30 - 11 am, Tom Carroll will guide a group meditation before we come together to connect and restore.
Wherever you begin, share your kickoff using #FirstPlunge before the national 30-Day Challenge begins on 1 September.
GIVEBACK
Protect our Marine Life. Safeguard our Future.
Australia’s ocean is home to some of the most diverse and breathtaking marine life on our planet. It is our privilege and responsibility to protect it.Marine sanctuaries are a type of marine park that act like national parks in the ocean. They fully protect marine life from damaging activities like bottom trawling, seismic blasting and drilling for fossil fuels, while recreational activities like snorkelling, surfing, boating and diving are still allowed. Scientific evidence shows marine sanctuaries lead to more fish, bigger fish and healthier ecosystems. They increase resilience to coral bleaching and climate impacts and help replenish surrounding waters.
Funds raised through First Plunge will support the Australian Marine Conservation Society’s Safeguarding Critical Places strategic pillar, with a particular focus on expanding marine park and sanctuary protections across Commonwealth, state and territory waters. Pony Rider owns and manages the First Plunge campaign. AMCS collaborates on approved conservation and fundraising content and connects its Stripe account within Raisely, so donations are paid directly to AMCS.
Pony Rider does not receive or hold public donations.
Our Fundraising Goal
Together we're aiming for $25,000
Our goal is to raise $25,000 for the Australian Marine Conservation Society through the First Plunge event.Every fundraiser and donation contributes to AMCS’s Safeguarding Critical Places, with a focus on expanding marine park sanctuary protections across Australian waters. Swim, share your challenge and help us reach the target together.
Proudly Supporting
