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Toronto Polar Bear Dip #DareToDip 

  • News
  • Posted by Rhya Tamasauskas on January 03 2020




A small but mighty team of Brown Bag and 9 Story staffers came together on New Year’s Day to kickoff 2020 with a BLAST of cold water, by jumping into Lake Ontario for the Annual Toronto Polar Bear Dip at Sunnyside Beach.

“The Toronto Polar Bear Club was started in 2005 by three guys who wanted to share our love of the Polar Bear Dip with Toronto and to raise funds for great charities that provide services to the people of Toronto. That first year we managed to convince 20 people to jump into Lake Ontario on January 1st.Now we get over 500.” ~ Event Organizers

Outside temperatures hovered around - 1°C, while in the water it was a balmy 2°C. And in case you were wondering, it also snowed! The mass dip took place at noon, with over 300 people dressed in nothing but their swimmers, rushing into the frigid city shoreline waters for charity.

Our team, along with all the event participants, did an amazing job of getting soaked for a great cause! This year’s dip raised close to $60,000 for Boost (Child & Youth Advocacy Centre) – an organization that assists children and teens who have experienced abuse and violence. 

Three cheers to our brave dippers! And we’ve heard through the grapevine that everyone can finally feel their toes again! The big question is, will they all dare to dip again next year?


Rhya Tamasauskas

Marketing Director, Social Media and Corporate Communications

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