Polar Bear Swim... the complete event!

When I have my camera with me I always wonder whether I should video the event or take pictures.

At Britannia yesterday I _really_ wanted to get the closeup shots of the faces contorted by the cold water, and the sheer surprise at what they were really feeling.

In the end I opted to video the whole thing. It's just such a fun, crazy thing to do, jumping into a frozen river. I wanted to document the whole thing. I figure if I need the still images I can get them from the video, at least enough so I can paint a few frames of it.

Here is my complete video, chopped up into four YouTube digestible bits. If you were one of the swimmers my fuzzy winter hat goes off to you! I hope to join you next year.

Polar Bear Swim, Ottawa, Britannia Park January 1st, 2010

How best to start the New Year?

And so, here we are, the day after the night before
aka New Year's eve 2009/New Year's Day 2010

Britannia Park, January 1st, 2010 just before 2pm
Weather: overcast, light snowfall, wind 4km
Temperature: -3C/with the windchill -5C

58 participants in the Britannia Park Polar Bear Swim
The event raised money for the President's Choice Children's Charity

pre-swim
pre-swim

first glimpse of the "canadian hot tub" aka the ol' swimming hole

we all stood on the ice
a giant cracking sound made more than a few of us nervous,
causing us to wonder
if this was the year we all participated in the polar bear swim

the ice is pretty thick this year

contemplating the future

getting ready for the dippers
ropes are placed around the waist of every swimmer so they can be pulled
up and out of the water, or guided to the edge to help them out

you don't see this every winter day

in Grover we trust

participants get a "safety talk" before they go in

afterwards
lots of slush and a good look at the edges of the swimmin' hole
brrrr.