An early dip to promote the Ajax Polar Bear swim

Peter and Bob, two of the original Polar Bears, were in the water on Dec. 20 to help promote the Jan 1 Polar Bear Swim. The event is raising funds for the Rouge Valley Health System's Cardiac Department through the Heart of it All campaign. Photographer Sabrina Byrnes was there to capture the moment for a promotional story to appear in the News Advertiser.

For the 7th year in a row a New Year’s Day tradition will be taking to the Lake Ontario shoreline at Paradise Park in Ajax, ON with the carrying out of the annual Polar Bear Swim.

At 1PM on Sunday, January 1, 2012 swimmers will welcome the New Year, and shake off the cob-webs from the festivities of the night before by running en masse into the frigid waters of Lake Ontario. With similar events happening around the world, the annual event has entrenched itself with both symbolism and purpose wherever it’s held.

“There is no better way to start off a brand New Year, than by leaving your comfort zone” notes co-organizer Eric Novak. “Whether your goals for the year ahead are personal, professional or otherwise, there is great symbolism by doing something that seems so counter-intuitive to what you’re supposed to do.”

The Ajax event, like so many others around the world had rather simplistic beginnings. Ajax resident Bob Murray first took the plunge back in 2006 with a couple friends and with little fanfare or attention. Murray’s friend and fellow Ajax resident Peter Gos decided to help out the following year and it has grown every year since. During the 2011 swim approximately 100 swimmers jumped in as they were watched by about 150 others on the shoreline.

The Swim is designed to raise funds for a local charity as well. Both participants and spectators are encouraged to offer donations while at the event as a show of support to those who participate. As with last year, all proceeds will be donated to the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation, with proceeds from this year benefitting “The Heart of it All” campaign. The campaign is raising money to purchase diagnostic Heart Echo machines for both the Ajax and Centenary sites. Last year the swim raised over $2,300, donated to the RVHSF’s “Image Matters” campaign relating to the purchase of a new MRI machine for their Ajax site.

“As far as being the recipient of the charitable side of this fun event, the Heart of it All campaign is really proud to have a local group choose to support its community hospital this way," says Chad Hanna, President and CEO of the Foundation, on hand for the Dec. 20 dip. "The guys behind the Ajax Polar Bear swim, aside from being a little crazy, are really a special breed. They know how important health care is. The money will go toward purchasing new echocardiogram machines and the end result promises to be a much greater level of comfort for doctor and patient, as the new machines provide the best possible clarity in the images of the heart and therefore the best diagnosis for the patient.”

Paradise Park is located along Lakeview Boulevard, between Pickering Beach Road and Shoal Point Road in south-east Ajax.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Eric Novak, Co-Organizer, (W) 905-231-0341 (C) 905-626-5485
eric@modernmediaperspectives.com
Visit their Facebook Event Page at: http://www.facebook.com/events/140669796041538/