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Bring a bathing suit and head to the Polar Bear Dip by Herb Garbutt Oakville Beaver Staff 45 | Thursday, December 25, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com If you're curious enough to check out the Courage Polar Bear Dip, but not quite brave enough to take the plunge into Lake Ontario, Trent Courage has some advice for you. "Bring a bag with a bathing suit," said one of the co-founders of the annual New Year's Day event, "because sometimes people can get caught up in the festive mood." And the festivities started Monday morning at a pre-dip promo with Trent and Todd Courage being joined by a dozen polar bear dip supporters, including CityTV Breakfast Television host Jennifer Valentyne, in a hot tub after braving the Lake Ontario water. What started 30 years ago as a plea from Trent and Todd Courage's mother to get off the couch and do something, has grown into a massive community fundraiser that has raised more than $1.2-million for World Vision, which uses the money to provide clean drinking water in developing countries. Neither brother could have imagined the event growing into its current form. The first Todd Courage, left, and his brother Trent Courage, co-founders of the Courage Polar Bear Dip, enjoy a much warmer dip in a hot tub after an early-morning plunge into Lake Ontario to promote the 30th annual Courage Polar Bear Dip. | photo by Jayson Mills - special to the Beaver one involved the brothers, and a couple of friends and family members, but now sees more than 700 people braving the frigid waters to raise approximately $140,000 every year. "To our amazement, this silly little thing of jumping into the lake has become something that has an impact on another part of the world," said Todd. The annual dip really began to take off once they decided to make it a fundraiser 20 years ago. Also, the move to Coronation Park gave the event a little more exposure. "When we took it public, we thought, `Wow, this is kind of big. We've got 75 people,'" said Trent. Both brothers acknowledge the event couldn't have continued to grow to its current size without a dedicated team of volunteers that help organize and coordinate the day's activities each year. It has become much more than just running into the lake, with live music and costumes. "It's very festive," said Todd. "It's like a carnival. It's a great family event." And while many simply watch, it's often not long before they're taking the plunge themselves. see Polar on p.46 Season's Greetings OF F G EVERYTHIN rge s We carry a la Please remember to drive safely and watch for children playing over the holidays. IUOE Local 793 2245 Speers Road, Oakville 905-469-9299 www.iuoelocal793.org m election of Vita d Herbs! ins, Supplements an 30 0 2 Everything % % Dec 26th & 27th Walker's PICKS OFF (Cannot combine with other offers) with Rewards Program BoxING DaY SalE TOP 511 Maple Grove 511 Maple Drive,Grove Unit #11 Drive, Oakville Unit #11www.walkersvitamins.com Oakville www.walkersvitamins.com ( South of the QEW, ( South East of the of Trafalgar QEW, East ) of Trafalgar (289) ) 837-3591 (289) 837-3591 Life is complicated. We help make things a little easier. Simplify your life. Whether you're planning for yourself or a loved one, make just one call for all funeral, reception, cemetery and cremation arrangements. At your time of need or planning ahead, call: 905-257-1100 Look for us on Facebook glenoaks.ca LIVE LAUGH SMILE 330 Dundas St. E. Oakville · 905-257-3182 info@klerdental.ca www.klerdental.ca Family Owned. Proudly Canadian. Glen Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery by Arbor Memorial 3164 Ninth Line (403 & Dundas St.), Miss./Oakville, ON Arbor Memorial Inc. Open Evenings & Saturdays