Teens ring in 2021 with polar bear dip

PORT MORIEN — Ethan Murrant and Khoner White are old pros at the New Year's Day dip in the cold Atlantic Ocean.

After six years dunking for the Port Morien Polar Dip fundraiser for the legion and Hospice Cape Breton, the Glace Bay High students weren't letting the pandemic ruin their yearly tradition.

Usually Murrant, 17, and White, 16, do the dive along with 50 to 80 other participants in front of 250 or more spectators. For 2021, the boys took the plunge alone with their friend, Jack Macdonald, 17, who Murrant recruited to do the dip for the first time last year.

Calmer than past years, the teens each had a few supporters who stood in their socially distanced groups — a sign of the COVID-19 pandemic times.

In and out in less than 40 seconds, the three hearty dippers will likely have video of their dip posted on the Port Morien Polar Dip Facebook page or emailed to them.

Murrant and his team raised $1,100 for the cause and the Port Morien resident said giving back to a good cause is one of the things that drives him to participate every year.

The other reason is it's fun and all three look forward to when they can race to dive in the water with other polar dippers when public gathering restrictions are lifted.

"You tend to forget everything when you get to the beach (to do the dip)," said White about past years. "There's definitely some pushing and shoving going on."

Murrant added, "It's every man for himself."

Then White smiled at the memory he had of a past swim.

"I think one year I dove in and cracked my head off of someone's foot."

Fundraising totals and participations numbers for the 2021 Port Morien Polar Splash will not be available until Saturday.

NICOLE SULLIVAN • CAPE BRETON POST Almost deep enough to dunk, the three friends were in and out in less than 40 seconds.