Canadians from coast to coast take icy New Year’s Day polar bear dips

WATCH ABOVE: The Toronto Polar Bear Club held their annual dip at Sunnyside Beach to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity.

HALIFAX – Canadians from coast to coast braved a plunge into frigid winter waters Thursday as part of polar bear dips taking place across the country.

In Nova Scotia, people donned tutus and neon Speedos as they leaped off a wharf and into the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean on New Year’s Day.

Organizers said more than 150 people young and old braved the annual jump in Herring Cove, about 15 kilometres outside Halifax.

Many wore costumes and screamed as they jumped off the wharf two by two, the air temperature hovering around -3 C.

Dave Allan’s red, white and black Joker makeup bled down his face as he emerged from the ocean water.

“It was really good. Refreshing,” he said with a yell, clutching his black and white frizzy wig in his hands.

Gareth Whitfield of England said the atmosphere and the entertaining people is what brought him back for another jump after his first plunge last year.

Whitfield and his friend John Moakes participated in 2014’s polar dip as part of Moakes’ wedding celebrations. On Thursday they were both wearing Batman costumes with tutus around their waists.

“It’s the atmosphere. All these people around here dressing up, doing insane things,” said Whitfield before the event. “It’s great.”

Phaninnuch Rattana, who is from Thailand but has lived in Halifax for three months, said she wanted to take the plunge to experience something new to her: cold ocean water.

“It’s a new thing,” she said, wearing a Thailand T-shirt and carrying a Canadian flag. “You can’t jump in cold water in Thailand. It’s a once in my life (experience).”

Dozens gathered on the wharf and surrounding areas under sunny skies to take in the action, with many cheering and clapping as participants leaped into the chilly water.

Money raised at the event will go to a local food bank.

Swimmers in Oakville, west of Toronto, faced chilly temperatures and gusts of wind as they plunged into the waters of Lake Ontario. One swimmer was wearing a mask of a horse’s head. Another swimmer was dressed as the Grinch.