An estimated 2,000 White Rock residents and visitors kicked off the new year in traditional style, with a bracing plunge in the Pacific Ocean.
The annual Polar Bear Plunge – presented Monday (Jan. 1) by Rotary International, with support from Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Unit 5 (Crescent Beach) and the City of White Rock – marked the first day of 2024.
“It was a great turnout! A really fun event,” said Scott Harrold with RCMSAR Crescent Beach and Sky Aviation, one of the event’s organizers.
He, along with Rotary District 5050’s Lindagene Coyle and White Rock Rotary’s Melanie Smith, help make the frigid plunge happen every year.
“There were at least 1,500 on the beach, so we’re guessing 2,000 (total) easy… it’s probably one of the biggest years ever.”
The event drew dippers of all ages, as well as countless more onlookers to take in the largely-brief displays of icy-cool bravery on White Rock beach, just east of the pier.
With music playing and hot chocolate and coffee on hand, plungers and their supporters stayed warm by dancing to music played on two speakers at the swim, Harrold said.
“It was a nice, party kind of atmosphere. Everyone was dancing around, trying to keep warm.”
Usually, he participates himself, Harrold noted, but this year, he focused on his emcee (master of ceremonies) duties when everybody braved the chilly ocean waters.
“I’m usually one of them… once everything was all cleaned up, I went to the ocean and dunked myself in, around three o’clock,” he said.
Last year’s event followed a two-year hiatus of the in-person affair due to COVID-19 concerns, during which time, those who still wanted to mark the occasion were encouraged to do virtual plunges.
Among highlights of the 2024 dip were prizes for best costume.
