Nine people donned bathing suits and braved the -9°C weather to slide into a pool full of frigid water taken from the Chestermere Lake.
The fifth annual Polar Bear Dip set up in Anniversary Park was part of the Chestermere Winterfest, Jan. 19. This year’s dippers included three RCMP officers as well as local and out-of-town residents and four youth from Langdon.
“I’ve never done it before,” said Keith Raymond from Calgary who wanted to see if he could handle the chill. He said it wasn’t as bad as he thought, and di it for a second time.
The youngsters from Langdon followed suit.
“It was so awesome,” said, Rebecca Petrice one of four Langdon teens and members of Youth Encouraging Lasting Leadership (YELL) who did the dip. “It was cold, but only for a second,” she added.
The event was a fundraiser for YELL, a program that was created to provide a voice for youth in the community, which serves South East Rocky View.
“Talking about bullying is important,” chimed in Kelsey Biluk who was warming up in a hot-tub set up behind the cold pool with her friends.
“I got bullied and I want it to stop,” she said.
In total, $643 was raised from the event. The money will help support anti-bullying programs in the schools that YELL is involved with.
YELL helps youth achieve their goals while encouraging personal growth opportunities, leadership development, skill building and by providing youth a chance to excel.
It is open to residents between the ages of 12 and 18. Meetings are held everything Thursday at the Chestermere Municipal Building 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and in Langdon every Thursday at the Langdon School also between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Winterfest events
The day started with a pancake breakfast for the public at 8:30 a.m. Other activities available throughout the day included an ice fishing derby on the lake, ice carving, sleigh rides and a charity hockey game.
“It was very successful,” said Nancie Huneault, Town events coordinator for Chestermere.
“Every activity area was busy, there were lots of people inside (the recreation centre) and outside, I was very pleased.”
The main hall of the recreation centre was set up with children’s activities such as face painting, a craft area and balloon making.
New this year was the little chipper station set up at Anniversary Park where children could try their hand at sculpting. There was also the sugar shack, where people could taste melted maple syrup treats.
“The smell of sugar melting was just amazing,” said Huneault with a laugh.
