More than a hundred swimmers donned imaginative costumes, or almost nothing at all, and plunged into the chilly water of Alberni Inlet at Canal Beach on Jan. 1 for the The PEAK 93.3 FM’s third annual Polar Bear Swim.
There were 140 registered swimmers, and about 300 people on site, according to Karen Freethy of the Parks and Recreation department.
The fundraising grew a little from previous years, as approximately $1200 in total was raised for Bread of Life and the Shelter Society. The Bread of Life had multiple sponsors, including the See Group of Companies, who donated a twoonie for every person who went in the water. Organizer John Douglas called the event “a great success.”
Gilligan’s Island, complete with their own replica of the S.S. Minnow, won the award for best group. The best individual costume award went to Vienna Lamb and Ariana Cootes, who were both dressed as Pikachu from Pokemon.
Bette Hansen (dressed as Mrs. Howell) won the award for oldest swimmer, and Jaden Zielke won the draw prize.
elena.rardon@albernivalleynews.com
facebook.com/albernivalleynews
