Postponed again, the Polar Bear Swim will now happen on Sunday, January 30 at Lakeside Park.

PRESS RELEASE – January, 13 2021

Postponed again, the Polar Bear Swim will now happen on Sunday, January 30 at Lakeside Park.

The 2022 Polar Bear Swim event met some unexpected challenges this January – however, Kootenay Co-op Radio (KCR) and Friends of Kootenay Lake (FoKL) has rescheduled the POLAR BEAR Swim just in time for the Lunar New Year – on Sunday January 30th at 12 noon. 

Plungers will celebrate the Year of Tiger and all the good things to come by finally getting the opportunity to raise funds for the two organizations by jumping into the lake. “Maybe it’s a good occasion to get dressed as a Tiger!” laughs Amélie Sauquet, KCRs advertising and sponsorship rep and Polar Bear Swim organizer.

The organizations are asking participants to come with their bubble and to keep social distance with others. In order to avoid gatherings, chili and hot chocolate will not be served during the event.  Instead, participants are asked to bring their own hot drinks to help them warm up after the plunge, which is one of the swim tips they suggest on www.nelsonpolarbearswim.com to make it a successful experience.

“We do believe that it’s possible to put together a community event and keep everyone safe” adds Amélie Sauquet. Marco Pringle from the Beat Diet will be on the beach to mix some tunes to encourage the crowd to get a fresh start for the upcoming year.

There is also something new in this tumultuous 2022 edition, they are asking participants to sign a waiver before jumping into the lake. You can either visit www.nelsonpolarbearswim.com to sign it or you could sign it on-site on January 30th from 11am to noon. Brave swimmers that want to raise money for KCR and FoKL can visit www.nelsonpolarbearswim.com to register/to create their fundraiser profile. The community can also donate by sponsoring one or more of the plungers.

Prizes will be given out to plungers who raised the most funds, as well as those with the best costumes. Thanks to generous sponsors, participants can enter to win: one night for two at the Hume Hotel, two Passes for Whitewater Ski Resort, four Day Passes for Nelson Nordic Club, two Family Passes for Ainsworth Hot Springs and more.

The Polar Bear Swim is an important fundraiser for KCR  and FoLK. The Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society is dedicated to sustaining a healthy Kootenay Lake for future generations.  “The Polar Bear swim is an event that focuses on not just on the bravery of our Kootenay Lake community – that water is cold! – but also the vital role the lake plays in all of our lives,” says Camille LeBlanc,  Executive Director  for Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society.

“Kootenay Co-op Radio provides an important service to the community through music, voices, and views.  We’ve faced some funding challenges during the pandemic and the funds raised from the Polar Bear Swim will help upgrade our broadcasting system and broaden the station’s reach,” says Amélie Sauquet.

For more information, reach to the Polar Bear Swim Team at info@nelsonpolarbearswim.com

Media contact:

Amélie Sauquet

Sponsorship Coordinator –

P: (250) 6071356

E: sponsorship@kootenaycoopradio.com

Joelle Burnie

Environmental Outreach Coordinator- Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society

P: (250) 777-2744

E: outreach@friendsofkootenaylake.ca