The snow began to fall with a little more vigour, and the wind stirred the waters of Shuswap Lake under dreary, grey skies, but that didn’t stop close to 30 dedicated swimmers from joining in the annual tradition of braving the frigid lake waters on the morning of Jan. 1 for the New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim.
Related: Swimmers brave frigid Shuswap waters
A total of 28 swimmers and more than 60 spectators flocked to the Canoe Beach Boat Launch on New Year’s Day, gathering close to the shore and waiting eagerly for 10:30 a.m. and the signal to rush into the lake. Some swimmers went all out, rushing in and diving headlong into the water, while others were more cautious and waded slowly up to their chests before making a quick exit.
(Mike Simpson/Big Sky Aerial)
Afterwards, swimmers bundled up in their winter clothes and gathered close with friends and family to get some warmth back into their bones, before heading home to begin 2019.
The event was hosted by the Salmon Arm Waves Masters and the Columbia Shuswap Selkirks swim clubs.
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jodi.brak@saobserver.net
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