Plunge into chilly lake chases away hangover
Participant in Kelowna’s Polar Bear Dip says it’s ‘rejuvenating’ after overindulging on New Year’s Eve
Richard Foxon admits he wasn’t feeling great Tuesday afternoon when he arrived at Tugboat Bay on Okanagan Lake in downtown Kelowna, but that changed within a couple of minutes.
Foxon, joined by his daughter Emelie, 16, joined hundreds of hearty Kelowna residents for the 2019 Polar Bear Dip at 2 p.m.
“It’s honestly a great way to get over a New Year’s hangover,” said Foxon, who participated in the event with Emelie for the third consecutive year. “I wasn’t feeling too good when I got here, but after a little dip I feel fantastic, I really do. It’s totally rejuvenating and you feel amazing afterwards.”
Foxon had participated in similar events for several years near the port city of Devon in his native Britain. Thanks to prodding from his teenage daughter, he’s made it a ritual in Kelowna.
Emelie said the Polar Bear Dip is all about having fun and she wouldn’t take “no” for an answer from her father.
“It’s thoroughly exhilarating,” she said. “It gives you a tremendous rush, but you feel so good afterwards. It’s also a fun thing to do with my dad.”
Foxon said Emelie’s enthusiasm for life spreads far beyond talking him into diving into freezing-cold water on New Year’s Day.
“She’s already tried skydiving and participated in the Swim the Lake event in Kelowna three or four times . . . she’s a real adrenalin junkie,” he said proudly.
Richard’s wife, Marie-Claire, was on the shore, cheering on her husband and daughter. She said it will take a lot more convincing before she’s ready to jump into Okanagan Lake in winter.
“I think they’re completely nuts,” she said. “I will always be here to cheer them on and show support, but no way I’m doing that.”
Her other daughter Hannah, 17, agrees.
That won’t stop Richard and Emelie from returning next New Year’s Day.
“It’s a really fun thing to do with your daughter,” he said. “Everyone was having a great time and no one got hurt, so it’s a great event to be part of.”
David Scherle was also participating in Kelowna’s Polar Bear Dip for the third consecutive year, but this time he brought along his 12year-old nephew, Carson Lea.
“This was the best one yet as the first year I lost my breath as soon as I jumped in because it was so cold and last year I dove in a little too shallow and scraped my belly pretty bad,” said Scherle. “Things went much smoother today as I knew what to expect.”
Scherle said the Polar Bear Dip is a wonderful way to kick off the new year as it brings hundreds of local residents and visitors together for a fun event.
“My cousin Claire from the United States challenged me three years ago,” he said. “She challenged me a couple of days before and said she would call me chicken if I didn’t jump in, so I jumped in my van and came down and had a really good time and I’ve been back the last two years since.”
Young Carson was trying to stay warm under a large towel seconds after his first Polar Bear Dip.
“It’s really cold, but it was fun,” he said. “My uncle Dave invited me, so I’m glad we got to do this together.”
Scherle said he looks forward to participating in more polar bear swims in Kelowna.
The fifth annual event helped raise funds for CRIS Adaptive Adventures, a local non-profit organization that provides opportunities for disabled residents to participate in outdoor adventures.
The estimated 800 to 900 people who participated Tuesday were asked to make a donation to CRIS.