The Courage Brothers dip their way into the new decade, Polar Bear Dip style

The Courage Polar Bear Dip, the largest and the longest-running charity event of its kind in Canada, will take place on New Year’s Day in Oakville and will aim to raise over $120,000 in funds for World Vision’s clean water initiatives.

Hundreds of brave dippers and excited spectators will converge on Coronation Park, Oakville, for the 35th annual Courage Polar Bear Dip for World Vision. Once again, the Courage Brothers – Todd and Trent – will partner with World Vision to bring in the new year and the new decade with the annual plunge in the near-freezing waters of Lake Ontario.

The Courage Polar Bear Dip for World Vision is an annual event where chill-seeking jumpers raise money for the privilege of plunging into the icy-cold waters. Since partnering with World Vision in 1995, the event has helped raise over $1.8 million and welcomed over 10,000 dippers.

“We are very proud to host this event, year after year, in support of World Vision’s clean water projects around the world,” said Todd Courage, co-founder. “This year we’ll celebrate two milestones: we are both marking our 35th year and ringing in a new decade with all of our supporters! We are grateful to so many who have loyally done the dip with us over the decades.”

The Courage Polar Bear Dip is open to dippers of all ages and it features fun activities to entertain the entire family. Participants can compete in the most creative costume contest and look forward to live music and food stations.

“I love the Courage Brothers annual Polar Bear Dip as an invigorating and meaningful way to ring in the new year,” said Sumair Mirza, COO of World Vision Canada. “Water is something that many of us take for granted but for some children around the world, access can be a big obstacle. Water restores health and opens doors to educational opportunities and a promising future. What better way to welcome 2020 than with the clear vision of providing a community with water.” 

The dip runs on Wednesday, January 1, 2020 from 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., with the dip itself taking place at 2 p.m.

Quick Facts: 

• 663 million people around the world still lack access to safe drinking water.
• Funds raised at the 2020 Polar Bear Dip will improve the health and safety of children and their families by providing clean water in communities in Rwanda.
• World Vision brings clean water to one new person every 10 seconds and by doing so also equips communities with sanitation and hygiene programs.
• Proceeds from the event have been going to different World Vision water projects around the world since 1995 and over $1,819,000 has been raised in total.

Additional Resources:
Courage Polar Bear Dip photos: HERE
Web links: polarbeardip.ca
Social media: @PolarBearDip; #PolarBearDip