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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, December 26, 2013 | 8 continued from p.1 organizers, Trent and Todd Courage, and others out of the water. "There is a shelf of ice here today so we are using a ladder to get into the water and get back out," said Trent. "When it is this bad for the (Jan. 1) event itself for a couple days in advance we actually do a lot breaking up of the ice. We have dozens of volunteers with pickaxes, sledgehammers, shovels just moving all this ice. We are also looking at some warm weather coming up so a lot of this ice will be gone." Trent said he expects the water will be around 1 C New Year's Day. Last year, more than 700 dippers braved the icy waters of Lake Ontario and thousands more came to watch. That dip raised $120,000 and pushed the Courages past their goal of raising $1 million in total funds for World Vision water projects. The Courage Polar Bear Dip is now in its 29th year and has evolved into Canada's largest Lake Ontario will offer dippers a chilly welcome to 2014 charitable polar bear dip with proceeds this year going to World Vision's water projects in Rwanda. Those who took part in the pre-dip showed varying levels of enthusiasm. After they climbed down the ladder, some stood about waist-deep in the water and shivered among the floating pieces of ice before quickly jumping out. Dippers were advised not to linger on the metal ladder or risk becoming stuck to it. Others completely embraced the situation and dove under the water. Reactions varied with one man remarking, `That's not too bad', while another screamed, `Oh, boy that's cold'. Cade Courage, 10, Trent's son, said this year would mark the sixth time he has done the dip. "It feels really cold, but sometimes you can't really feel it because you are numb," he said. "We do this to raise money so they can build clean water wells in places where they does it, my little cousins do it, my grandma does it. I think if they can do this anyone can." Members of the Courage family were not the only ones who went in. World Vision's Eddie Mushayandedvu of Zimbabwe also participated. "I tell you, right now I cannot feel my feet... Right now (in Zimbabwe) I think it is about 30-32 degrees (Celsius) if not more. This is like really taking things to the other extreme. It doesn't make any sense at all for me to be jumping into the water, but it was a lot of fun and it is like wearing a badge that says I actually did it," he said. "I have seen people give up what little they have to make a difference for people in Africa and that really moves me. I just wanted to say `thank you' by doing this." The New Year's Day event begins at Coronation Park at 12:30 p.m. with entertainment, including music by blues band Whaling, and activities for all ages. The dip is at 2 p.m. People can text COURAGE to (45678) to donate a quick $5. They can also register and pay their $25 fee online. Trent recommends dippers arrive dressed warm and stay that way up until they are about to hit the water. Those who go into the water should bring a buddy to remain at the shore and ensure their friend returns. He also advised dippers to bring an extra pair of shoes to wear into the water to protect their feet from rocks and that they not be afraid to show a little skin. "The less clothing you wear into the water the better because then you don't have wet sticky clothes sticking to you and freezing on your body," said Trent. "As soon as you get out, wrap yourself in a blanket and start getting yourself changed -- especially your feet. We do have heated tents for people to change in." For more information, visit www.polarbeardip.ca or email info@polarbeardip.ca. Ward 2 Councillor Pam Damoff prepares to descend into Lake Ontario from a ladder. | photo by Riziero Vertolli ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_ photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) can't get clean water." Jenna Courage, 18, Todd's daughter, who has been taking the plunge for 10 years, was among the Courage clan who climbed down ladder and into the cold water for the pre-dip. "Oh my gosh, it is freezing, but you just get this adrenaline rush and it is honestly like the best thing in the world," she said. "Honestly, anybody can do this. My nine-year-old sister Experience the East Coast right here in Oakville! FRUITS OF THE SEA Custom Seafood Party Platters Take them home live, steamed or try our Mermaid Steamer Dinner Arriving Fresh Daily Live Atlantic Lobsters Also providing selections of... · Fresh shuck oysters on the Place Your New Years Order NOW! mermaidoyster.wordpress.com OR call our friendly staff DORVAL DR. half shell · Jumbo Crab Legs · Colossal Shrimp · Selection of Fresh Fish Q.E.W SPEERS KERR ST. GOURMET SEAFOOD MARKET HOLIDAY HOURS: Mon., Tues. 11-6, Wed. -Fri. 11-7, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 12-5 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK & NEW YEARS EVE 8AM-4PM BOXING DAY 12PM - 5PM TRAFALGAR 351 Kerr Street, Oakville 905.849.0870 or 289.837.3999