The 15th Annual Ness Lake Bible Camp Polar Bear Dip went swimmingly!
55 people braved minus 18 degree weather to take the plunge yesterday, but Program Director Dave Horton says the chilly conditions were actually ideal!
“We’ve had plus-3 and raining, we’ve had minus-25 and wind! What we had yesterday was gold. Around the minus-8 to minus-18 mark is the best- with no snow! No snow, no wind, with sun was pretty good.”
As good as it could be, with freezing temperatures and some rather revealing costumes!
“The crowd this year was awesome,” adds Horton. “There was a ton of snowmobilers that came across the lake, and they just packed out dining hall, and they just joined the crowd cheering on. It was fantastic.”
A certain belly flopper also made his annual appearance, while Horton himself dove in for the 15th time.
He also noted the event is one of a rather small handful that does a ‘true’ polar bear dip, cutting a hole in the ice.
“For people who just watched or didn’t come out this year, you have to do it! At least once,” laughs Horton.
Though he describes it as being hit by an icy freight train, it’s an unforgettable experience.
“You’re not going to die, you’re not going to get frostbite, you can’t do this everywhere. You can really only do this up in the north. Take the opportunity of what’s in your backyard… You can’t do this in Vancouver!”
On a warmer note, nearly $4000 was raised to help send kids to camp who couldn’t afford it otherwise.
“We’re talking dozens and dozens of kids. Some families only need about 20 bucks, or in the $20-$60 range, some families need half the costs or more, and some families just can’t afford any part of it. We want to make all of it work though, we want families to come to camp. It needs to be accessible to everybody in the north.”