Here’s What the Polar Bear Dip Looked Like in Oakville This Year

Published January 4, 2019 at 2:26 pm

Despite the annual Courage Polar Bear Dip being cancelled last year, this year was a huge success.

Despite the annual Courage Polar Bear Dip being cancelled last year, this year was a huge success.

On New Year’s Day this year, according to a recent press release, more than 700 brave people plunged into Lake Ontario to participate in this event. 

The event is put on by World Vision and aims to raise money for World Vision’s clean water projects in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Iraq.

“World Vision is thrilled the Courage Brothers’ annual polar bear dip has raised over $1.8 million for clean water projects.  It’s been an incredible New Year’s tradition for 34 years – what an adventurous way to ring in 2019,” Michael Messenger, World Vision Canada President and CEO, in the press release.

Dippers were encouraged to dress up for the event, and some participants came prepared with very festive costumes including candy canes and penguins.

For some, this year was their first year participating. Some first-time dippers came from as far as Trinidad and Tobago and Cuba. 

“The energy down at the Park was fantastic,” Todd Courage, one of the founders of the dip, said in the press release.

“Each year, families, friends and communities come together to give back to others in a gesture that truly signifies the true message of the season.”

The Courage Polar Bear Dip took place at Coronation Park in Oakville.

All photos are courtesy of World Vision Canada.

insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising