Scene: The Polar Bear Dip

Braving the cold for a good cause on New Year's Day.

By Sarah Sweet • Photos by Corbin Smith

SHOW CAPTION

• BACK TO ARTICLE

Share on:     ✉

298698

The Stanley Cup is not in the least concerned about the cold and is ready for some 2014 swimming.

20140101-Toronto Polar Bear Swim 2014-4519- Photo_by_Corbin_Smith

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4519-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4519-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith.jpg

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4519-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith.jpg

1000

667

{"aperture":5.6,"credit":"Corbin Smith","camera":"NIKON D800","created_timestamp":1388581563,"copyright":"\u00a9 Corbin Smith","focal_length":"70","iso":"200","shutter_speed":"0.002"}

https://torontoist.com/2014/01/scene-the-polar-bear-dip/slide/20140101-toronto-polar-bear-swim-2014-4519-photo_by_corbin_smith/

20140101-toronto-polar-bear-swim-2014-4519-photo_by_corbin_smith

0

0

298699

20140101-Toronto Polar Bear Swim 2014-4531- Photo_by_Corbin_Smith

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4531-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4531-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith.jpg

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4531-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith.jpg

1000

667

{"aperture":5.6,"credit":"Corbin Smith","camera":"NIKON D800","created_timestamp":1388581616,"copyright":"\u00a9 Corbin Smith","focal_length":"70","iso":"200","shutter_speed":"0.002"}

https://torontoist.com/2014/01/scene-the-polar-bear-dip/slide/20140101-toronto-polar-bear-swim-2014-4531-photo_by_corbin_smith/

20140101-toronto-polar-bear-swim-2014-4531-photo_by_corbin_smith

0

0

298700

At least they have footwear to protect them from the cold, cold ground.

20140101-Toronto Polar Bear Swim 2014-4545- Photo_by_Corbin_Smith

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4545-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4545-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith.jpg

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4545-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith.jpg

1000

667

{"aperture":5.6,"credit":"Corbin Smith","camera":"NIKON D800","created_timestamp":1388581681,"copyright":"\u00a9 Corbin Smith","focal_length":"24","iso":"200","shutter_speed":"0.002"}

https://torontoist.com/2014/01/scene-the-polar-bear-dip/slide/20140101-toronto-polar-bear-swim-2014-4545-photo_by_corbin_smith/

20140101-toronto-polar-bear-swim-2014-4545-photo_by_corbin_smith

0

0

298701

"THIS WATER IS EXTREMELY COLD."

20140101-Toronto Polar Bear Swim 2014-4548- Photo_by_Corbin_Smith

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4548-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4548-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith.jpg

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4548-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith.jpg

1000

667

{"aperture":5.6,"credit":"Corbin Smith","camera":"NIKON D800","created_timestamp":1388581681,"copyright":"\u00a9 Corbin Smith","focal_length":"24","iso":"200","shutter_speed":"0.002"}

https://torontoist.com/2014/01/scene-the-polar-bear-dip/slide/20140101-toronto-polar-bear-swim-2014-4548-photo_by_corbin_smith/

20140101-toronto-polar-bear-swim-2014-4548-photo_by_corbin_smith

0

0

298702

20140101-Toronto Polar Bear Swim 2014-4552- Photo_by_Corbin_Smith

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4552-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4552-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith.jpg

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4552-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith.jpg

1000

667

{"aperture":5.6,"credit":"Corbin Smith","camera":"NIKON D800","created_timestamp":1388581682,"copyright":"\u00a9 Corbin Smith","focal_length":"24","iso":"200","shutter_speed":"0.002"}

https://torontoist.com/2014/01/scene-the-polar-bear-dip/slide/20140101-toronto-polar-bear-swim-2014-4552-photo_by_corbin_smith/

20140101-toronto-polar-bear-swim-2014-4552-photo_by_corbin_smith

0

0

298703

The same expression on many faces.

20140101-Toronto Polar Bear Swim 2014-4567- Photo_by_Corbin_Smith

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4567-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4567-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith.jpg

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4567-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith.jpg

1000

667

{"aperture":5.6,"credit":"Corbin Smith","camera":"NIKON D800","created_timestamp":1388581692,"copyright":"\u00a9 Corbin Smith","focal_length":"24","iso":"200","shutter_speed":"0.002"}

https://torontoist.com/2014/01/scene-the-polar-bear-dip/slide/20140101-toronto-polar-bear-swim-2014-4567-photo_by_corbin_smith/

20140101-toronto-polar-bear-swim-2014-4567-photo_by_corbin_smith

0

0

298704

20140101-Toronto Polar Bear Swim 2014-4588- Photo_by_Corbin_Smith

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4588-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4588-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith.jpg

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4588-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith.jpg

1000

667

{"aperture":5.6,"credit":"Corbin Smith","camera":"NIKON D800","created_timestamp":1388581713,"copyright":"\u00a9 Corbin Smith","focal_length":"24","iso":"200","shutter_speed":"0.002"}

https://torontoist.com/2014/01/scene-the-polar-bear-dip/slide/20140101-toronto-polar-bear-swim-2014-4588-photo_by_corbin_smith/

20140101-toronto-polar-bear-swim-2014-4588-photo_by_corbin_smith

0

0

298705

The Cup has persevered and overcome!

20140101-Toronto Polar Bear Swim 2014-4595- Photo_by_Corbin_Smith

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4595-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4595-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith.jpg

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4595-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith.jpg

1000

667

{"aperture":5.6,"credit":"Corbin Smith","camera":"NIKON D800","created_timestamp":1388581722,"copyright":"\u00a9 Corbin Smith","focal_length":"24","iso":"200","shutter_speed":"0.002"}

https://torontoist.com/2014/01/scene-the-polar-bear-dip/slide/20140101-toronto-polar-bear-swim-2014-4595-photo_by_corbin_smith/

20140101-toronto-polar-bear-swim-2014-4595-photo_by_corbin_smith

0

0

298706

20140101-Toronto Polar Bear Swim 2014-4602- Photo_by_Corbin_Smith

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4602-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4602-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith.jpg

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4602-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith.jpg

1000

667

{"aperture":5.6,"credit":"Corbin Smith","camera":"NIKON D800","created_timestamp":1388581728,"copyright":"\u00a9 Corbin Smith","focal_length":"24","iso":"200","shutter_speed":"0.002"}

https://torontoist.com/2014/01/scene-the-polar-bear-dip/slide/20140101-toronto-polar-bear-swim-2014-4602-photo_by_corbin_smith/

20140101-toronto-polar-bear-swim-2014-4602-photo_by_corbin_smith

0

0

298707

Is that a fez? That looks like a fez.

20140101-Toronto Polar Bear Swim 2014-4612- Photo_by_Corbin_Smith

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4612-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4612-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith.jpg

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4612-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith.jpg

1000

667

{"aperture":5.6,"credit":"Corbin Smith","camera":"NIKON D800","created_timestamp":1388581738,"copyright":"\u00a9 Corbin Smith","focal_length":"24","iso":"200","shutter_speed":"0.002"}

https://torontoist.com/2014/01/scene-the-polar-bear-dip/slide/20140101-toronto-polar-bear-swim-2014-4612-photo_by_corbin_smith/

20140101-toronto-polar-bear-swim-2014-4612-photo_by_corbin_smith

0

0

298708

20140101-Toronto Polar Bear Swim 2014-4614- Photo_by_Corbin_Smith

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4614-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4614-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith.jpg

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4614-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith.jpg

1000

667

{"aperture":5.6,"credit":"Corbin Smith","camera":"NIKON D800","created_timestamp":1388581740,"copyright":"\u00a9 Corbin Smith","focal_length":"24","iso":"200","shutter_speed":"0.002"}

https://torontoist.com/2014/01/scene-the-polar-bear-dip/slide/20140101-toronto-polar-bear-swim-2014-4614-photo_by_corbin_smith/

20140101-toronto-polar-bear-swim-2014-4614-photo_by_corbin_smith

0

0

298709

A brave, fundraising bear-man.

20140101-Toronto Polar Bear Swim 2014-4630- Photo_by_Corbin_Smith

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4630-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith-100x100.jpg

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4630-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith.jpg

https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140101-Toronto-Polar-Bear-Swim-2014-4630-Photo_by_Corbin_Smith.jpg

1000

667

{"aperture":5.6,"credit":"Corbin Smith","camera":"NIKON D800","created_timestamp":1388581758,"copyright":"\u00a9 Corbin Smith","focal_length":"70","iso":"200","shutter_speed":"0.002"}

https://torontoist.com/2014/01/scene-the-polar-bear-dip/slide/20140101-toronto-polar-bear-swim-2014-4630-photo_by_corbin_smith/

20140101-toronto-polar-bear-swim-2014-4630-photo_by_corbin_smith

0

0

WHERE: Sunnyside Beach

WHEN: Wednesday, January 1, 2014, noon

WHAT: The Polar Bear Dip, an annual event held by the Toronto Polar Bear Club that sees cold-defying individuals plunge into the frigid waters of Lake Ontario on New Year’s Day. These swimmers aren’t just sub-zero thrill-seekers, though—since 2005, the Polar Bear Dippers have managed to raise more than $130,000 for Habitat for Humanity Toronto. So if you’re feeling generous and warmth-averse next year at around this time, why not shiver in your trunks while helping local families in need of affordable homes?