Canada's Largest Polar Bear Dip Kicks Off the New Year with a Splash

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Dec. 29, 2017 /CNW/ -

WHAT: The 33^rd annual Courage Polar Bear Dip returns to Oakville this New Year's Day with hundreds of brave souls taking the polar plunge with thousands of onlookers cheering them on. The chill-seeking dip is the largest and longest running charity Polar Bear Dip in Canada. It supports World Vision's clean water programs that deliver real and lasting change for some of the world's most vulnerable children and their communities.

Dippers Will Brave the Frigid Waters of Lake Ontario Supporting World Vision Water Projects in Africa (CNW Group/World Vision Canada)

WHEN: Monday, January 1, 2018; 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., with the dip itself taking place at 2 p.m.
Full schedule of events can be found at: http://www.polarbeardip.ca/festivities.php

WHERE: Coronation Park, Oakville 1426 Lakeshore Rd W, Oakville, ON

VISUALS:

• A very large crowd of brave Canadians of all ages, counting down and running into the chilly waters of Lake Ontario together, many of them in bright costumes
• Live music
• Costume contest
• Thousands of spectators
• Festive atmosphere

INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE:

Todd and Trent Courage, Polar Bear Dip founders

Michael Messenger, President & CEO World Vision Canada   

MORE INFO:

Courage Polar Bear Dip 2017 photos: HERE
Courage Polar Bear Dip 2016 photos: HERE 
Web links: www.polarbeardip.ca; www.worldvision.ca 

Social media: @PolarBearDip; #PolarBearDip  

FAST FACTS:

• Todd and Trent Courage founded the Courage Polar Bear Dip as teenagers 33-years ago
• The Dip has raised almost $1.6 million for vital World Vision clean water projects. This year funds raised will go towards water projects in countries around the world including Mali, West Africa.
• Funds raised at previous dips have gone towards various clean water initiatives including Rwanda, Tanzania and Mali

World Vision is a relief, development and advocacy organization working to create lasting change in the lives of children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by our Christian values, World Vision is dedicated to working with the world's most vulnerable people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

SOURCE World Vision Canada

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES OR INTERVIEWS CONTACT: Joanne Legin - 416-738-7720, [email protected]