For Greater VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 fearless cold water swimmers, ringing in the new year starts by taking the (polar) plunge.

Even if it means swimming in rain, sleet, hail or snow.

More than a hundred brave souls gathered at Willows Beach in Oak Bay on Sunday (Jan. 1) to take part in swim group Cold Water AddictsB次元官网网址� 90th Sunday Adventure, and kick start 2023 with the ultimate refresh.

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Participants took to the water donning party horns, dresses, umbrella hats, costumes and other festive attire to help ring in the New Year Island style.

The cold temperatures didnB次元官网网址檛 turn out to be as much of a shock as couple Harris and Lena Gilmore had anticipated. B次元官网网址淲e havenB次元官网网址檛 done it for about ten years,B次元官网网址� Harris said. B次元官网网址淏ut it felt fantastic and refreshing. ItB次元官网网址檚 the way to do it.B次元官网网址�

Organizer Brian Bolli, a regular cold water swimmer, said thereB次元官网网址檚 no better way to kick off the new year than with an icy dip. It was also the first time Cold Water Addicts organized a New YearB次元官网网址檚 polar bear swim at Willows Beach.

B次元官网网址淲e had no idea what to expect whatsoever,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淏ut look at all the people here, you have to enjoy that.B次元官网网址�

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