Polar Bear Dip aims to break $1M mark By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF When Todd and Trent Courage, their mother Gaye, and a handful of friends jumped into Lake Ontario on New Year's Day to get rid of the cobwebs from the night before, no way did they know what they had started. It was just a fun little thing to do. Todd and Trent will tell you it is still a fun thing to do; however, it's just not so little anymore. After nearly three decades, the annual tradition that started with a small group -- but now draws approximately 800 dippers and thousands of spectators to Coronation Park -- has become the largest Canadian polar bear dip event of the year. This year, the Courage Polar Bear Dip will surpass $1 million total fundraised for World Vision Canada, an organization the event has been supporting since 1995. "This is something Trent and I are very proud of, but I also think the dozens and dozens of people that help us every year should be very proud and even the people jumping in the water over the last 28 years should be very proud. We get a lot of people who come back every year and they've raised a lot of money," said Todd. "It's very exciting for us," said Trent. "Going back all those years, first of all, we never realized this would become an annual tradition. As it became a tradition, it was just some friends and family who got together. But, once we moved it somewhere public and got charities involved, even at that point, I never dreamed we'd be here at this point looking at a $1 million mark and what affect that $1 million does." The event began humbly at Gaye Courage's lakeshore property. The seed was planted and the Courages and their friends and family agreed to do it again. When the dip became public, it moved to Coronation Park and charities got involved. When the event outgrew the Courage brothers, they teamed up with World Vision Canada, which helps organize the event. Todd, Trent and Gaye travelled to Rwanda and saw the money the dip has raised at work. 7 · Thursday, December 20, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com INGER MACKENZIE / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER / @halton_photog Beaver trails to the polar bear dip?: The Courage brothers, who organize the annual Courage Polar Bear Dip, are seen here with their children at Coronation Park -- in a scene befitting our Beaver Trails feature -- as they prepare for the Jan. 1, 2013 edition. In back, from left, Jenna, Sean, Trent, Todd, Vaughn and Heidi. In front, Reif, left, and Cade. World Vision brings clean drinking water to impoverished communities where it had previously not been available, not just in Rwanda but also across the globe. On that trip, the Courages saw a completed spring and the irrigation system that was put in and how having access to clean water improved lives. Then they travelled to another location, where the United Way work had not yet commenced. "To see the contamination in the water in the surrounding area was just horrible," said Todd. "You would see cattle in the same area with feces in the water and you see these poor young kids with these big yellow jugs pouring it in. Quite frankly, the water looked like watered-down chocolate milk. You wouldn't wash your car with this stuff here. These kids are walking home for many kilometres with this stuff. They're going to boil it first and then they're going to drink it... There were a bunch of us who went there. Everyone was silent." There are many ways people can get involved in the event. Of course, they can participate. But, those who don't want to can support those who do through a financial donation. Also, there are volunteer opportunities at the event. "This is on a lot of people's bucket list, to do a polar bear dip, and we offer them that bucket list," said Todd. "Regardless of the weather, if you're going to go in and you've made that decision, you're going to have a blast," added Trent. "Whether it's raining out, or it's sunny, or it's snowing, you're going to have the same effect and the effect will just be, `wow, that was exhilarating.'" The brothers say there are a lot of familiar faces year after year and the dip has become a family event for many. They also encourage people to be safe. There will be people in the water to make sure everyone is safe, but they also ask people to be responsible and understand their limitations. "We want them to go in, get out," said Trent. "Those are just safety things. This event is not about trying to prove how great you are by how long you can stand out because you feel immortal." In it's 28 years, the Courage brothers never missed a dip and the event has never been cancelled due to weather. "It is such a fun event. It really is. I can't say I ever see myself doing anything else on Jan. 1," said Trent. Registration costs $25. Those who participate are also encouraged to collect donations. The event also features a costume contest. There will be live music in the park and festivities. Registration opens at 12:30 p.m. The dip starts at 2 p.m. To register, support someone, learn about volunteer opportunities or for more information, visit www.polarbeardip.ca. FACTORY DIRECT SALE "FREE INSTALLATION" FROM OUR STORE IN MISSISSAUGA! Why pay high retail prices!! Holiday Wishes Ho Ho Ho Welcome to the Wonderful World of Playmobil Toys reg. priced items SOLID HARDWOOD SLATE POOL TABLE Store Hours: December 20, 21 · 10am - 5pm December 22, 23, 24 · 9am - 5pm December 25, 26 · CLOSED December 27, 28 · 10am - 5pm December 29 · 11am - 4pm BOXING DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS! 20% off FREE . $1999 12'X24' INGROUND KIDNEY SHAPE POOL INSTALLED $24,995 INSTALLED Huge selection of Cast Aluminum and Wicker Patio Furniture. 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