As bone-chilling wind whipped Oak BayB次元官网网址檚 shores on New YearB次元官网网址檚 Day, hundreds gathered to start 2025 off with a fun, albeit freezing, start. 

At precisely noon, brave swimmers from across Greater Victoria took part in the annual polar bear swim at Willows Beach.

B次元官网网址淚t's brisk,B次元官网网址� said Paul Dunbar, who leapt into the sea twice, seemingly unfazed by the cold water. B次元官网网址淭he first step in there takes your breath away. The second one's not too bad. Your body kind of levels out a little bit, so it gets a little bit better after that.B次元官网网址�

Dozens happy to stay warm cheered on the brave swimmers B次元官网网址� and a few fearless pups B次元官网网址� from the comfort of their winter jackets. Some even gathered next to propane fire pits, sipping hot cocoa and coffee, much of which the meet-up's organizer The Lido Club B次元官网网址� a cold-water swimming community in Greater Victoria B次元官网网址� provided.

Mangus McElroy was among the swimmers who caught onlookersB次元官网网址� attention. Sporting nothing but aviator sunglasses and a purple kilt, he waltzed into the ocean like one would into a swimming pool B次元官网网址� completely unbothered. 

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a great way to start the year,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚t hurts a little bit, it sucks a little bit. You realize what you were dreading, what you were putting off ... if you just do it, itB次元官网网址檚 over and you have a much better experience after itB次元官网网址檚 done.B次元官网网址� 

Another attraction was a crew of karate students and sensei, all of whom charged into the water donning their traditional white B次元官网网址榞iB次元官网网址� uniforms. 

As the event wrapped up, the beach was alive with laughter and conversation, as many touted the polar bear swim as the perfect way to start 2025.

B次元官网网址淚t's a good chance to reset and start the year off right, challenge the mental a little bit,B次元官网网址� said Dunbar.