Hundreds of brave people headed to Tugboat Beach in Kelowna today, to bring in the new decade in dramatic fashion. The Polar Bear Swim is not just an invigorating, way to jump into a new year, but for six years now, it's been raising funds for the Community Resource Initiative Society which helps people with physical challenges enjoy outdoor activities.
Before the event, the impressive crowd gathered under a sunny sky on what turned out to be a relatively warm day. Some turned up in themed costumes.
One polar swimmer extolled the health benefits before the dip. "Because cold immersion therapy is good for the lymphatic system, it's good for the vascular system," said the enthusiastic polar swimmer, "and it gets you present, it gets you grounded."
Another claimed it cures a hangover and a third said it was an answer to a challenge, "My eldest was actually my inspiration," she explained. "She said, 'I've never done it, Mom, let's do it' and we said 'alright, as a family, let's go!'"
The Community Resource Initiative Society has been involved in the swim for six years. "We're trying to raise money to open more spots within our programming", said C.E.O. Shelley Buchanan-Gilmour. "We will take people with wheelchairs, we've got special adaptive equipment to go hiking, that allows them to go out in a kayak, that allows them to go cycling."
As they emerged from the water, some more quickly than others, the exhilaration was written on the faces of the swimmers. "Oh my God," said one. "I don't have words. It's crazy. I'm Mexican. I'm not used to this."
"It's cold," admitted one woman after her swim, but she said it with a smile." Of course! It's a new decade!"
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