Standing on the sandy shore, some are dressed in elaborate costume, and others in simple shorts and T-shirts. All are cold. They stand shoulder to shoulder waiting anxiously for the loud belching sound that will signal their noontime dash. Many wonder if it’s going to be as cold as they anticipate. Suddenly, the sound of a bullhorn cracks the January chill and bodies surge forward into the briny Pacific. A roar of screams erupt from the water. This is fun Powell River style. This is our annual Polar Bear Swim.
Every year on January 1 about 50 people plunge themselves into the water at Willingdon Beach, and other locations along the coast, while many more remain dry and watch this most peculiar of New Year’s traditions. This year will be no exception.
Bill Hopkins has been organizing the plunge for the last eight years and has been hurtling himself into frigid water every New Year’s Day for the last 20.
Hopkins, who started his polar plunges in Ontario, said that before he could even throw himself in the water there, organizers would have to clear the ice out of the way first.
“People would get cold just looking at the pictures with all that ice,” he said.
Hopkins will set up a registration table in the park at about 11:30 am to take names.
“It’s informal,” he said. “I keep it pretty simple now. I just give out certificates. We used to do prizes for costumes, but people don’t want to wait around after. Get in and get out.”
Despite the lack of prizes, people still show up dressed in costumes.
“It’s just a really good family fun time,” he said. “We don’t encourage people to stay in too long, that’s for sure. Hypothermia sets in pretty fast.”
BC Ambulance Service will be on site, and a Canadian Coast Guard diver will be in the water with viking horns to ensure that the event goes off without a hitch.
The event is open to people of all ages and people should feel free to dress up in whatever way they see fit.
Over the past few years Hopkins has organized the event as a fundraiser for Abby Lloyd, a local athlete whose family had to bear the large expense of travelling to eastern Canada for a competition.
“This year I won’t be doing any fundraising,” he said. “In the past we sold T-shirts. This year it’ll just be jump in and get a bit chilly and then out.”
Hopkins recommends bringing extra towels or a sleeping bag to stand on while changing out of wet clothes.
