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| More than 800 dippers make for a record-breaking year at the Courage Polar Bear Dip in Oakville, ON. (CNW Group/The Courage Polar Bear Dip) |
More than 800 enthusiastic dippers braved below freezing temperatures to ring in the New Year with adventure at the 31st annual Courage Polar Bear Dip. Fun-loving rookie and alumni dippers of all ages joined dip founders, Todd and Trent Courage at Coronation Park in Oakville, plunging into frigid Lake Ontario.
Thousands of spectators cheered them on from ashore. It is the largest Polar Bear Dip in Ontario, and the largest charity dip in Canada.
Thousands of spectators cheered them on from ashore. It is the largest Polar Bear Dip in Ontario, and the largest charity dip in Canada.
A live band and the annual costume contest were highlights of the event, with dippers notably dressed as Star Wars characters, Santa and Olaf.
This year's event raised more than $130,000 in support of World Vision's clean water projects in Rwanda, bringing the lifetime total the event has raised to well over $1.4 million.
"Year after year we meet on New Year's Day to go for a dip, and save lives by bringing clean water to more people around the world. We're overwhelmed that every year, for over thirty years, dippers have joined us for this exhilarating experience and to make the world a little bit better than it was yesterday."
- Trent Courage, co-founder of the Courage Polar Bear Dip
Quick Facts:
- Todd and Trent Courage Founded the Courage Polar Bear Dip as teenagers, 31-years ago.
- The Courage Polar Bear Dip is the largest charity dip in Canada.
- The Dip has raised more than $1.4 million for World Vision clean water projects
What Canada can do:
Canadians that couldn't participate in the Dip can still make a donation by visiting www.polarbeardip.ca.
Canadians that couldn't participate in the Dip can still make a donation by visiting www.polarbeardip.ca.
World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. Visit World Vision's News Centre at worldvision.ca
SOURCE: The Courage Polar Bear Dip