Hub Staff
Senior and Master members of the Saugeen Shores Lifesaving Club (SSLC) as well as pool staff braved a wintery Family Day Monday with temperatures around the minus 10 mark for the 4th annual Polar Bear Dip.
The event raises funds for club equipment and local drowning prevention. “A lot of the drowning prevention pieces go towards our Swim to Survive program, which brings in kids to do drowning prevention methods right in the pool,” Saugeen Shores Aquatics Supervisor Shanna Reid told the Hub February 8.
Related: Polar Bear Dip 2016 just around the corner
Members of the Saugeen Shores Fire Department were there clearing ice ahead of the 10 o’clock event, which was moved from the Main Beach, where it was originally planned and has traditionally been held; to the Port Elgin Harbour.
“We'll be going in off the fuel dock and climbing up the ladder,” said Michael Hundt, Saugeen Shores Aquatics Programmer, on the day of the event. The ladder was just a few short but frigid strokes away from where the swimmers were jumping in off the dock.
“Normally we'd be over on the other side but this year because of the ice and the way that it’s formed, it’s not safe enough to go out,” said Reid February 15. “It’s really great to have the fighfighters here,” she added.
“We’re just here to assist them,” said Saugeen Shores Fire Chief, Phil Eagleson. “This is the first year they've done it in the harbour. It’s a little different when they can just run out from the beach but in this case they need some assistance in and out of the water." He added, “It’s a good training exercise for us.”
“I’m very scared, I'm terrified,” said Katie Stoner, a SSLC member, in anticipation of her fourth consecutive jump. “I've done it for the past three years. It get colder every year.”
Hundt was pleased with the number of people who came out to show their support. “A great turnout which is awesome to see. It makes it a little easier to jump in,” he said.
A total of 14 athletes took the Polar Bear plunge. This year's honours go to: Katie Stoner, Tyler Donaldson, Norm Stoner, Madison Ashton, Hailey Patrice, Christian Perico, Athena Wolfe, Madison Wheeler, McLean Reid, Cameron McEwen, Shanna Reid, Braydon Reid, Carlin Reid, Michael Hundt
For more photos, see Snapshots I: Polar Bear Dip 2016
