Swimmers and kayakers were taking advantage of the lack of ice covering Dutch Lake on News Year's Day 2025, an unusually mild start to winter in the District of Clearwater.
In the past those wanting to take on the challenge of welcoming the new year with a dip in the icy waters of Dutch Lake or along the banks of the equally chilly North Thompson River folks would have to break the ice for a quick celebratory plunge.
There are a variety of reasons people say they do this around the world, some tout the health benefits as explained by the Mayo Clinic website, which states that research indicates icy water may have a positive effect on recovery after exercise by reducing inflammation and soreness. It also may help build resiliency, restore balance to the nervous system and improve cognitive function and mood.
In B.C. a polar bear ‘plunge’ or ‘swim’ is an event held during winter and has become a New Year’s Day tradition in many parts of Canada and in some places held to fundraise for a charitable organization.
In Vancouver, B.C. the annual Polar Bear Swim Club is one of the largest and oldest Polar Bear Clubs in the world according to Vancouver Parks and Recreation. The city’s website explains the history of the swim at English Bay saying, its initial swim was in 1920 when a small number of swimmers took the plunge into English Bay on New Year’s Day. Led by their founder, Peter Pantages, the swim has now grown from around 10 swimmers to the new record of 8,683 official entries set in 2024.
Whether you are a cold water plunge participant or prefer staying on shore with the camera and a hot chocolate, everyone has their own way of welcoming in a new year and many residents in the North Thompson Valley celebrated the day, warm or cold with a sense of hope for a better year ahead.
