Summerland Polar Bear Swim

Summerland Polar Bear Swim

By Monique Tamminga

More than 100 brave, crazy souls started out 2019 with a splash in Summerland New Year’s Day.

Summerland 2019 Polar Bear Swim. Photo credit: Monique Tamminga.

Around 500 people gathered at Sun-Oka Beach for the 34th annual Summerland Kinsmen Polar Bear Swim.

With temperatures hovering around zero degrees Celsius and snow and ice on some parts of the sand, dippers gathered around the bonfires to ready for their swim.

Summerland 2019 Polar Bear Swim. Photo credit: Monique Tamminga.

At the strike of noon, kids, teens, and adults of all ages and costumes ran into the lake, some dunking their heads under the water.

Summerland 2019 Polar Bear Swim. Photo credit: Monique Tamminga.

There was the Sponge Bob guys, the Budweiser cans with team name “the Buds,” Hawaiian skirts and New Year’s hats.

Summerland 2019 Polar Bear Swim. Photo credit: Monique Tamminga.

One 79-year-old woman donning a fancy hat decided to take a second dip.

Summerland 2019 Polar Bear Swim. Photo credit: Monique Tamminga.

Penticton Search and Rescue were in the water just in case someone became too cold but luckily there were no rescues.

Featured photo credit: Monique Tamminga.

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