White Rock’s 51st annual Polar Bear Plunge is set to return this year, but it’s not being held at the beach.
Instead, as a way to follow public health orders, organizers are encouraging residents to take the plunge at home.
Organizer Lindagene Coyle said she first thought of cancelling the event all together, but said ignoring the annual tradition would likely result in people still flocking to the beach.
This year, participants are encouraged to take a photograph of themselves plunging into cold water at home on Jan. 1 at 12 p.m. Prizes are to be randomly allocated to 21 people who email their photograph to plunge.at.home@gmail.com
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“Whether they’re in a shower, in the backyard under the hose, or whatever. Hopefully, people will have some fun with it and realize that they can still do it, they just can’t go anywhere near open water and have big groups of people,” Coyle said.
Other suggestions Coyle offered were to jump into a kid-sized pool, or people could dump a bucket of cold water over their head.
“People are always looking forward to doing it. They can do it, just in a different way.”
The City of Vancouver also cancelled its 101st polar bear plunge, and instead suggested people take part at home.