(December 29, 2017) –
WHAT: The 33rd annual Courage Polar Bear Dip returns to Oakville this New Year's Day with hundreds of brave souls taking the polar plunge with thousands of onlookers cheering them on. The chill-seeking dip is the largest and longest running charity Polar Bear Dip in Canada. It supports World Vision's clean water programs that deliver real and lasting change for some of the world's most vulnerable children and their communities.
WHEN: Monday, January 1, 2018; 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., with the dip itself taking place at 2 p.m.
WHERE: Coronation Park, Oakville 1426 Lakeshore Rd W, Oakville, ON
VISUALS:
- A very large crowd of brave Canadians of all ages, counting down and running into the chilly waters of Lake Ontario together, many of them in bright costumes
- Live music
- Costume contest
- Thousands of spectators
- Festive atmosphere
INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE:
Todd and Trent Courage, Polar Bear Dip founders
Michael Messenger, President & CEO World Vision Canada
MORE INFO:
Courage Polar Bear Dip 2017 photos: HERE
Courage Polar Bear Dip 2016 photos: HERE
Web links: www.polarbeardip.ca; www.worldvision.ca
Social media: @PolarBearDip; #PolarBearDip
FAST FACTS:
- Todd and Trent Courage founded the Courage Polar Bear Dip as teenagers 33-years ago
- The Dip has raised almost $1.6 million for vital World Vision clean water projects. This year funds raised will go towards water projects in countries around the world including Mali, West Africa.
- Funds raised at previous dips have gone towards various clean water initiatives including Rwanda, Tanzania and Mali