Robust winds and nearly freezing temperatures didn’t deter 1000’s of courageous souls from leaping into icy chilly water for throughout Canada in a New Year’s Day custom.
Some 750 individuals took half within the Braveness Polar Bear Dip in Oakville., Ont., simply west of Toronto on Wednesday.
Aiden Peel, who travelled greater than 100 kilometres from Innisfil, Ont., to make the leap mentioned it was his technique to get a contemporary begin within the new yr with no hangover.
The Oakville-based polar bear dip into Lake Ontario has been operating for 40 years, and is certainly one of many such occasions throughout the nation that increase cash for charity.
The occasion attracted individuals of all ages. Among the many contributors was eight-year-old Evelyn Grey, who was planning on taking the polar dip together with her father.
“I’m very excited as a result of I’ve at all times wished to do that,” she mentioned.
Folks take part within the annual polar bear dip on New Yr’s Day in Oakville, Ont., Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn.
Folks take part within the annual polar bear dip on New Yr’s Day in Oakville, Ont., Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn.
Folks take part within the annual polar bear dip on New Yr’s Day in Oakville, Ont., Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn.
Folks take part within the annual polar bear dip on New Yr’s Day in Oakville, Ont., Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn.
World Imaginative and prescient Canada CEO Michael Messenger mentioned the plunge is anticipated to lift about $100,000, however numbers gained’t be finalized for “a few days.” He mentioned the funds shall be used to offer clear water in Congo and Zambia this yr.
Messenger, who can be an Oakville resident, mentioned he has personally additionally taken half within the dip for the previous 17 years.
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“That is an extremely significant occasion for me,” he mentioned in an interview. “It’s just a little bit loopy. (I’m) not an enormous fan of the chilly water, however I’m an enormous fan of the nice and cozy hearts of individuals right here in Oakville.”
A whole lot turned out for polar bear dips in Quebec, Nova Scotia and several other different components of Canada.
Frank Iteriteka clambers out of the icy waters of Gatineau Park’s Meech Lake in Chelsea, Que., throughout a polar bear dip on New Yr’s Day, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang.
Grace McCreary, proper,Abeer Shahid, centre, andVeronika Kelly, left, dip within the waters of Gatineau Park’s Meech Lake in Chelsea, Que., throughout a polar bear dip on New Yr’s Day, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang.
Folks swim within the ice-filled water in Lake Banook throughout the annual polar bear swim on New Yr’s Day in Dartmouth, N.S., Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese.
Native resident Simon Plourde reacts to his first swim into the icy water of the St.Lawrence river for a Polar Bear swim on New Yr’s Day in Quebec Metropolis, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. Organizer Francis Vachon is seen at proper. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot.
Throughout the nation in Vancouver, hundreds lined up to take a plunge into the Pacific Ocean at English Bay Seashore on Wednesday afternoon.
Temperatures hovered round 7 C when the town’s official one hundred and fifth annual polar bear swim kicked off at midday. The occasion runs for about 4 hours and features a greater than 90-metre swimming race.
Crowds for the plunge in close by White Rock, B.C., which celebrated its fifty fifth anniversary this yr, have been estimated at between 2,000 and three,000.
—With further information from World Information
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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