For those who associate plunging into ice-cold, salty water with welcoming in a new year, it's time to dust off the old (or break out the new) swim gear 鈥� or, for the Aussies among us, the ol' budgie smuggler 鈥� or favourite dipping attire.
The annual Polar Bear Plunge is returning to the White Rock waterfront on 鈥� you guessed it 鈥� Jan. 1, 2025.
An official tradition in the seaside city for more than 50 years, the super-chill dip is presented with support from Rotary, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Unit 5 (Crescent Beach), the City of White Rock and UA Local 170.
Event co-chair Scott Harold said it's hoped the event will be as big as last year, when some 2,000 brave souls turned out to brrr-ing in the new year.
Harrold 鈥� of RCMSAR5 and Sky Aviation 鈥� is co-chair with White Rock Rotary's Melanie Smith, following the unexpected death of Rotary District 5050's Lindagene Coyle in September. Coyle organized the 2024 dip with Harrold and Smith, and was instrumental in co-ordinating a number of previous years' polar-bear events.
Harrold noted the White Rock Plunge is the second-largest organized each year, exceeded only by that in Vancouver's English Bay.
As with previous years, prizes will be awarded for best costume. There'll also be live music on a vintage-truck "stage" provided by Harrold, and a "huge" on-site warming tent to help attendees shake off the chill.
Registration gets underway at the iconic white rock just east of the pier at 10:30 a.m., followed by the plunge at noon.
