Top 5 Training Tips for Polar Bear Dips

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Nearly 1000 dippers are expected to attend and are encouraged to wear red & white or classic Canadian costumes
The Courage Polar Bear Dip for World Vision will celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, featuring waves of dippers wearing red & white and classic Canadian costumes. Photo/World Vision
(December 01, 2016)
Polar plunger prescriptions from the "Courage doctors" 
 
With one month to go before dip day, Todd "Dr. Freeze" Courage and Trent "Dr. Thaw" Courage, co-founders of Canada's largest charity polar bear plunge, have released the helpful "5 Training Tips for Polar Bear dips" guide for dippers old and new.  
 
Dip Tip #1: CHILLAX!  Don't overthink it, just do it. It's brisk with minimal risk. It's a chance to be a superstar to friends and family and a champion for children at the same time. That's all you need to think about --- so long as a real doctor gives you the thumbs up.  
 
Dip Tip #2: CHOOSE YOUR CHILL. Are you the type to dive right in? Or more of a slow descent? You need to answer that age-old question in advance, not on dip day as you approach the frigid shoreline. 
 
Dip Tip #3: PRACTICE YOUR SCREAM. Sudden exposure to wintry waters can lead to involuntary expletives. Remember this is a family event. Practice screaming in an age-appropriate way. Suggestions might include: "Oh FUDGE! Fudge! Fudge! Fudge!" or "Oh SUGAR! Sugar! Sugar! Sugar!" Practice makes perfect. 
 
Dip Tip #4: WARM YOUR HEART. For many it takes more courage to ask for donations from loved ones than it takes to actually turn yourself into an iced latte. Don't be shy, it's for a very worthy cause. 
 
Dip Tip #5: TAKE BABY PENGUIN STEPS. Polar preppers should slowly build their tolerance to Arctic conditions. Take colder and colder showers and brave the "icy cask of courage" by submerging your feet into a bucket of ice water. You'll turn dip day into a piece of ice cream cake!   
 
QUOTES
 
"I received my Canadian passport 15 years ago, but I won't truly be a Canadian until I complete this rite of passage. As a first time dipper, I don't really know what to expect, but I do know that a quick plunge into freezing cold water is worth it, if it means providing clean water for children in Africa. The kids we meet through World Vision endure much worse, and their struggles last longer than just a few minutes."
 
-First-time dipper Eric Frans, Vice-President, Vision Partners, World Vision Canada 
 
"There really is no better way to celebrate "Canada 150". What could possibly be more Canadian than jumping into icy water on New Year's Day for a great cause? There's going to be wave after wave of Canucks wearing red & white or wearing some true Canadian costumes. You really don't want to miss this. It'll be one of those experiences people tell the grandkids about."
 
-Todd & Trent Courage, co-founders, Courage Polar Bear Dip for World Vision. 
 
QUICK FACTS
  • This year's event will be an extra special celebration of Canada's 150th birthday with a wave of nearly 1000 dippers encouraged to wear red & white or classic Canadian costumes 
  • The Courage Polar Bear Dip for World Vison is the largest charity dip in Canada 
  • Todd and Trent Courage founded the Courage Polar Bear Dip as teenagers, 32-years ago 
  • The Dip has raised more than $1.4 million for vital World Vision clean water projects. This year funds raised will go towards water projects in Rwanda, Ghana, Mali and Tanzania 
Image with caption: "The Courage Polar Bear Dip for World Vision will celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, featuring waves of dippers wearing red & white and classic Canadian costumes. (World Vision Canada)". Image available HE​RE