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rvcuiiCMjay, jaiiuaiy j , zuuu 1nc, VJAN V1L.L.E BE.AV fcK B, OFFICIAL MEDIA SPON SOR O F TH E OAKVILLE WATERFRONT FESTIVAL F o cu s AI 123 NAV i ~ OAKVILLE, ONTARIO " k*4 2*4 Oakville Beaver Focus Editor: W ILM A BLOKHUIS 845-3824 (Extension 250) Fax: 337-5567 Photos by Peter J. Thompson It was a cold start to the new M illennium for the approximately 350 `polar bears' to challenged Lake Ontario at Corontation Park on Saturday AT RIGHT: Rachel M cEgan o f Guelph waves the Canadian flag. Polar bears `swim in' new year By Claudia D'Souza SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Brrr....different century, same wacky, chilly outcome. For the 15th straight year, hundreds of World Vision Polar Bear Dippers splashed their way into frigid waters of Lake Ontario at Coronation Park on New Year's Day. There's no better way to greet the new year and/or cure a hangover many claim, and the sunny skies and balmy 8° Celsius weather cer tainly didn't hurt. About 3,000 spectators came out to witness the organized mayhem. This time around, approximately 350 brave souls - more than double last year's tally donned their swimwear and an assortment of wacky costumes to raise $14,000 for World Vision. That doubles last year's total of $7,000. "Our goal this year was $10,000," said Todd Courage who organizes the annual event with his brother, Trent. "So, we're very pleased. This was the best year ever. I think the new century had something to do with it, but so did the great weather." Participants raised or paid a minimum $20 to participate in what's grown to be Eastern Canada's largest Polar Bear Dip. This year's net proceeds went towards World Vision's Malawi borehole water project and to aid Venezuelan flood victims. "It's a combination of freeze your bum, have some fun and do some good," cracked Dave Toycen, president of World Vision Canada, who took his first dip this year. "There's been so much talk about the new millennium and how it's going to affect us as individuals, but here's something that says `let's stop thinking about ourselves and think about what we can do for someone else.' It's a powerful idea. "It's exhilarating and helps people who are in desperate need. It's a wonderful combina tion. We're grateful the Courage brothers have chosen us as their charity." In the aftermath of Year 2000 celebrations, many of the participants wore queasy expres sions in addition to their swimwear, body paint and Hawaiian shorts, but they had a blast as usual. With their faces emblazoned with `Y2K', Rachel McEgan of Guelph, and Heather McFarquhar of Milton, were chosen to carry a huge Canadian flag into the lake. "This is my third year," said McEgan, who talked her friend McFarquhar into taking her first plunge. "I like it because it's exciting and gets your adrenaline going. You get a big rush out of it. Last year it was much colder." "Our friends Kimberley and Ryan Burrows are visiting from South Africa and as soon as they heard about this they said `we'll go for it," ' reported Oakville resident, Andy Maarschalk, who stayed safely on shore. (See `You get to go crazy . . . ' page B2) C O M R A N V ---------------P O N T I ------------------ ENTIRE STORE 1/2 PRICE 100% PURE WOOL FASHION B E S T QUALITY SP O R T SUITS NOW FROM JL *1Q Q " JACKETS 1 * 7 9 " FROM 100% WOOL 100% COTTON T O P QUALITY LUXURY Vtfnston (906) 856-2220 Oakville Place. Oakvtle (906)816-9200 Jack*on Square, Hamilton (906) 523-7610 Ancaster Meadowtands Power Centre, 821 Golf Link* Rd, Ancaster (906) 304-6611 1 9 9 99 N OIF S...A N D S...B U T S...O RE X C E P T IO N S . U N IT E DT IM EO N L Y ! $ SHIRTS FROM n o 99 COATS FROM