Close to 55 local folks decided to celebrate
Photos Submitted by Frank Schortinghuis, official Polar bear swim photographer. North to South, but not in sequence: Harvey Biest, Amy, Tara and Blair Christensen, Marshall and Terilyn Ewen-Holdom, Chuck Reamer, Derik Ewen, Dawn Holdom, Leif, Pamela and Stein Rasmussen, Ben, Daniel, Gavin, Sarah and Chris Cameron, Kevin, Dane and Ella Hansen, Bryan and Jane Muise, , Jan (Phantom) Garenkooper, Maia and Quin Etheridge-Eden, Rose, Jeff and Sandi Landa, Laura Negrave, Phyllis Johnson, Sarah-Lynne, George, Kim, and Grace Plumley, Cheryl Morch, Ulrich Hosang, Frank Jacobs, Sue and Marty Frizzell, Ed Bowman, Darlene Cain, Hayley Kjear, Cassie, Jim and Judy Smith, Rob and Bevan Payter, Jamie Pariton, Amanda McNabb, Leah Tidey. Sam, Emma and Mel Norcutt. --Sadie, Charlton, Mick Gibbs and Heather Mortimer made the dip twice but missed the picture.-- To anyone we missed, we’re sure to catch you next year!!
January 1, 2012 with a jump in the ocean from the beach at the end of Harper Road here in Lantzville. Squeals and screams were heard as people of all ages dashed into the chilly water. The fifty or more people on shore simply laughed. Yes, this is the Polar Bear Swim and for 18 years it has been connecting neighbours – wet and dry alike!
John Garenkooper – aka the Phantom of the Lost Mine, is the man behind the mask and the annual swim. He is instrumental in getting folks together and taking the dip. He plays the drum, counts down and jumps in the water too. This year he and his team were able to get Foster’s Firewood on Harper’s Beach to build a great fire to defrost swimmers and onlookers. The fire really was a great addition, more people spent time chatting, laughing and getting to know others from our town. It was a great way to bring in the New Year and it certainly is a lot of crazy fun!
So, don’t forget January 1, 2013 at noon at Harper’s Beach is the place to be for the next Polar Bear Swim. I am thinking of costumes…. anyone want to dress up with me?
