According to the Nanaimo Airport the temperature in the Ladysmith area on New Year’s morning was 6 C, which is in line with the annual average for that day. It was raining at Transfer Beach in the morning when brave, hardy souls, took the plunge, then wrapped themselves in blankets, parkas and anything else that would keep them warm after their chilly start to a new year.
It was the annual Polar Bear Swim in the waters of Ladysmith Harbour. Those wishing to ring in the new year in a brisk, some say refreshing, way arrived at the beach anytime between 10 a.m. and noon.
One of the brave to test the waters was Jeremy Welwood, from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Welwood, along with his nine-year-old son Jett and seven-year-old daughter Jaxine, all braved the water.
“It was freezing” said Jett. “We just went in and it was too cold.”
"It’s the first time we did it,” Jett said, adding that he's up to do it again next year.
The family was visiting grandparents and participating in the polar bear swim was a spur of the moment decision.
“We had talked about it last night and just decided it sounded like a fun thing to do so here we are,” said Welwood. "It was a nice day, the water was calm, it’s all very refreshing but damn cold!”
Some other participants were Joy Reeves along with her daughter Sara and their friend Faye Smith who was here from Turkey.
“It is cold, very cold, but so refreshed once out, but still very cold,” all three said of the experience.
Daniele D’amici, from Ladysmith was also experiencing the swim for the very first time.
“I guess I’m a bit of a masochist," he said. "I’ve watched it before and finally thought why not take part and have a different type of cleansing type of start to the new year? New things for a new year, so here I am.”
