On January 1, 2025, thousands of Canadians braved strong winds and near-freezing temperatures to participate in the tradition of polar bear plunges across the country. In Oakville, Ontario, an estimated 750 participants took part in the Courage Polar Bear Dip into Lake Ontario, an event that has been raising money for charity for 40 years. Among the attendees was eight-year-old Evelyn Gray, excited to dive into the icy waters with her father.
Aiden Peel traveled over 100 kilometers from Innisfil, Ontario, to join the plunge, taking it as a new year’s fresh start. The event, which aims to raise approximately $100,000 for providing clean water in Congo and Zambia, draws people of all ages and backgrounds. Michael Messenger, CEO of World Vision Canada and an Oakville resident, noted the community’s warm spirit and has himself participated in the dip for 17 years.
Similar events took place in Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Vancouver. In Vancouver’s English Bay, the 105th annual polar bear swim had temperatures around 7°C. White Rock, B.C., marked its 55th anniversary, drawing between 2,000 and 3,000 people. These events hold a significant charitable purpose while offering a unique way for participants to welcome the new year.
