Have you ever done a Polar Bear Dip?
Taking a dunk in a chilly lake or ocean in the winter is a rite of passage if you’ve moved to Nova Scotia, especially if you’ve moved from somewhere land-locked.
When we bought our rural Nova Scotia acreage in 2010, the former owner spent a great deal of time telling us stories about our place. Because it was formerly a campground, the property had an old restaurant, a derelict mini-putt course, and a history of having been famous for its annual New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge. A few years ago, the former owner dug out some of his photos to share with us, here’s one of the gems.
There are believed to be numerous health benefits to cold water swimming. For us, we cut a hole in the ice and go for a jump each January 1 (or some years just run right in if the lake hasn’t frozen over) because it’s a fun way to celebrate the new year, and it pays homage to the history of our home.
Polar Bear Dips in Nova Scotia
Want to participate in a community Polar Bear Dip? Here are a few Nova Scotia Polar Bear Dips we’ve heard are a lot of fun.
- Herring Cove Polar Bear Dip
- Pictou County Polar Bear Dip
- Halifax Polar Plunge
- Digby Neck Polar Bear Club
- Port Morien Polar Dip
- Sydney Polar Bear Dip