Extreme cold weather forces cancellation of annual Toronto, Oakville polar bear dips

The Toronto Polar Bear Club has been forced to cancel its annual dip into Lake Ontario due to extreme cold weather and icy conditions at Sunnyside Beach.

This marks the first time in 13 years the dip will not take place.

“This event for us has always been about starting the year off in a fun, refreshing way and to raise money for Toronto charities” co-founder Mike Bonneveld said in a release. “Today we have to consider the safety of everyone first and foremost.

“We will be exploring the possibility of running the event on a later date.”

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The organization is encouraging participants to still partake in their own “mini Polar Bear Dip tomorrow” and share it on social media.

The Courage Polar Bear Dip at Oakville’s Coronation Park also had to be cancelled.

“#NewYearsDay 2018 Courage #PolarBearDip for World Vision Canada clean has been CANCELLED by authorities/organizers,” officials said in a tweet Monday morning.

“Significant ice/rock movement overnight at planned dip site makes it unsafe. All donations will still go to World Vision clean water projects.”

With files from Nick Westoll