Polar Bear Swim – New Year’s Day – Britannia Beach, Ottawa, Ontario

Polar Bear Swim – New Year’s Day, 2011 – Ottawa, Ontario

Update: THe cold water is waiting for the 2012 event – see our 2012 blog

Graeme and I and my father got to Britannia Beach (Location) this morning for the “Great Canadian Chill” a.k.a. Polar Plunge. Just posting a few quick shots from the Polar Bear swim preparations in place before the actual activities of the morning began. Will be adding to this post later this evening but have other responsibilities first.



EDITED TO ADD MORE PICTURES:

AS 1:30PM approached, the hole was checked over by the diver and everything was readied for the first two plungers (the participants in the video entered the water a bit later than the first few individuals).

With TV cameras running, the first bathing-suit clad individual emerged from the crowd and headed across the slippery ice to the awaiting hole in the Ottawa River ice. A slight mist and an air temperature of about +6C made for a highly unusual set of conditions for a New Year’s Day plunge in Ottawa, Ontario. Although very balmy for this time of the year, being out there in a bathing suit still raised a few goosebumps.

SEE MORE HERE. The short video clip is fun to watch.

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Women’s Swimwear available through Amazon

Men’s Swimwear available through Amazon

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About Ron

Ron has long had an interest in photography and traveling and, in recent years, has had more time to devote to both activities. Long a Pentax user, Ron switched to Nikon gear when he went digital. The advent of the digital SLR camera, and the ease of the internet blogging process, has provided a venue for sharing his photography and travel experience at the local, national and international level. More about Ron
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3 Responses to Polar Bear Swim – New Year’s Day – Britannia Beach, Ottawa, Ontario

  1. RM says:

    Hi!
    DO you know if this is happening again this year??
    Thanks!

    • Ron says:

      As long as the world does not come to an end before January 1st, 2012 another dip will occur.
      The info that I have comes from:

      Sara Forbes | Communications Manager
      InField Marketing Group | The Great Canadian Event Series
      (O) 905.282.0770 ext 297 | (C) 416.301.2921
      5-2735 Matheson Blvd. E. | Mississauga, ON | L4W 4M8
      http://www.TheChill.ca
      Please call Chloe at 1.855.93.CHILL (24455) to register at your earliest convenience.

  2. Pingback: The Sear’s Great Canadian Chill† on Ice – Britannia: A History

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