CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - There are many ways to ring in the new year, and for some Islanders, that means making a splash.
On Jan. 1, many will brave the frigid temperatures, peel off their warm layers and make their way into the Charlottetown Harbour to take part in the annual P.E.I. Polar Bear Swim.
Organizer Cheryl Paynter said, as in previous years, the event is a fundraiser for the Upper Room Food Bank.Participants and viewers are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items or cash to donate to those in need.
Last year’s event saw about 100 participants take the plunge, she said.
“It’s what people like to do to start the new year off right. I think people find it somewhat symbolic of starting afresh,” she said, adding some people hit up the event on their way home from New Year’s Eve parties.
“It’s just fun to watch people conquer their fears, start the new year right and kind of wash away the year that was and ring it in. People really look forward to it.”
“It’s just fun to watch people conquer their fears, start the new year right and kind of wash away the year that was and ring it in. People really look forward to it.”
-Cheryl Paynter
Paynter said if the freezing temperatures keep up, organizers may have to drill through the ice again this year.
“We did that last year, and it was fine. People had to go in one at a time, as opposed to running in right off the beach,” she said, adding it’s too soon to predict what Tuesday’s weather will be.
“Last year, for instance, on Christmas Day it was open water. There wasn’t one piece of ice anywhere. Then, on New Year’s Day, we had to cut through three-inch ice.”
Either way, she’ll be prepared with a chain saw and a ladder.
“Mother Nature’s the boss, so we’ll adjust our plans accordingly.”
The event takes place Tuesday at 10 a.m. on the little beach in front of the Charlottetown Yacht Club, and Paynter suggests participants park as close by as they can or have someone waiting for them with a heated car they can make a dash for when they finish. She said that once people get out of the water, it’s important to get wrapped in something warm and dry.
Other useful items participants should bring with them include old sneakers, blankets, housecoats, towels and something to stand on, like a mat.
It’s also good to have something that will easily slip on over their cold feet afterwards, she said. “Your feet are the worst part.”
Paynter said she would like people to remember the fundraising aspect of the event.
“It would be nice to start the year off right and think of somebody that might have a little bit less than you and throw a couple of cans of food in the bin. Particularly this time of year, a lot of people find it tough.”
For more information, visit the P.E.I. Polar Bear Club Facebook page by clicking here.