New Year’s Day started off with a splash at Hidden Valley Resort beach. It was the 8th annual Huntsville Polar Bear Dip in support of Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North. A total of fifteen brave dippers took the plunge – most pre-registered along with a handful of in-the-moment dippers who braved the cold in their underwear – to support a chilly charity fundraiser.
The coordinator of the event, Markus Latzel, says that the local event is definitely growing – this was the largest turn out of cheerers and visiting spectators. “We didn’t have as many dippers this year but it was a successful dip.” Some of the dippers were experienced while others were encouraged to attempt the dip for the first time.
This year had the dippers jumping into a hole cut for the purpose in frozen Peninsula Lake; last year’s dippers had to run into the lake due to warmer temperatures.
A few Hidden Valley Resort guests saw the event taking place only steps away from their rooms and decided to cheer along, but once they were down on the dock they felt the need to experience the Huntsville Polar Dip for themselves and joined in the fun.
A post-dip bonfire and hot chocolate donated by Hidden Valley Resort were enjoyed by both dippers and onlookers.
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- Organizers cut a hole in Peninsula Lake for the annual dip
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- Bonnie Branton, a new Hidden Valley resident, was a first-time onlooker who brought her polar bear named Pierre.
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- A first time dipper takes the plunge!
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- Previous dippers requested that the ladder be covered in towels to make it easier to climb out of the frigid water!
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- Some dippers come as a team…
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- …and some dip spontaneously!
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- This year saw the largest crowd of spectators in the event’s eight years
(Scroll down to see video from the event.)
Donations were collected by dippers from family and friends in support of their brave efforts to take the plunge. As of today, $750 has been raised this year. The donation page will be open until the end of February 2017 for last-minute dippers and their supporters to contribute.
Mark your calendar for noon on January 1, 2018. Will you take the plunge?
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