Under the low winter sun at Gyro Park beach, the ocean radiates a definite chill. Yet, Rhyanna Bunniss and Alexander MacDougall storm the water with abandon, diving in for a short swim.

The two 20-year-old University of Victoria students emerge from Cadboro Bay laughing, ignoring the full-body shock as veteran swimmers in VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 notoriously crisp ocean.

On a stormy day in December, Bunniss and MacDougall were part of the second Victory Ocean Swim, which saw about 30 hearty souls brave the water to raise food and money for the Mustard Seed.

The trick, Bunniss says, is not hesitating halfway into the water. B次元官网网址淚t was all or nothing. It was icy B次元官网网址� an icy shock to the system,B次元官网网址� she says, referring to the Dec. 9 swim.

She once did a winter swim off the coast of Cornwall in her native England, but Victoria is a different level of suffering. B次元官网网址淚 did an ocean swim in the snow, but it doesnB次元官网网址檛 compare to here. This is freezing.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 originally from Yellowknife so IB次元官网网址檓 used to the cold already. But itB次元官网网址檚 still shocking and a good experience,B次元官网网址� MacDougall adds. B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 think IB次元官网网址檇 muster up the courage to do this on my own.B次元官网网址�

The Victory event aims to support the Mustard Seed, but also to encourage more people to enjoy the ocean off Victoria. Organizer Jasmin Gerwien says for her, the cold water is the only consistent remedy for chronic neck and back pain.

B次元官网网址淲hen I swim in the ocean, thatB次元官网网址檚 when it goes away. I come out pain free and rejuvenated,B次元官网网址� says Gerwien. B次元官网网址淲hen itB次元官网网址檚 rainy and cold, I force myself to go swimming, then I am able to do some work.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 not sure what I would do if I hadnB次元官网网址檛 discovered it. The health benefit is amazing. For me it works as an antidepressant.B次元官网网址�

Gerwien organized her first fundraiser ocean swim on Nov. 11 in memory of her mother, which drew 11 swimmers. The December event nearly tripled the participation, thanks to a contingent of UVic students who had been doing daily polar bear dips in Cadboro Bay.

B次元官网网址淚t was mostly running in and out,B次元官网网址� MacDougall said. B次元官网网址淏y the end we were doing some swimming.

B次元官网网址淚t think (the event) is a great idea. IB次元官网网址檇 never heard of (ocean swimming) here before. ItB次元官网网址檚 awesome.B次元官网网址�

For SundayB次元官网网址檚 swim, Gerwien has been lobbying Saanich and Oak Bay police and firefighters, among other friends and colleagues. The response from business and emergency responders has been gratifying B次元官网网址� nobody says no to donating or participating somehow, Gerwien says.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e converted a lot of people to the cause,B次元官网网址� she says.

B次元官网网址淓veryone who goes in tells me they feel amazing and invigorated. Seeing people united for a good cause is rewarding.B次元官网网址�

Oak Bay police Const. Julie Chanin plans to bring her five-year-old son to support the cause, and to show him that people do swim in VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 ocean.

B次元官网网址淚 did a polar bear swim 10 years ago, nothing recently,B次元官网网址� Chanin says. B次元官网网址淚t difficult to say if weB次元官网网址檙e going to show up and support the event, or be a swimmer. ItB次元官网网址檚 a good community event though B次元官网网址� good, clean cold fun.B次元官网网址�

The Victory Ocean Swim in support of the Mustard Seed is Feb. 17, at Gyro Park, with the swim starting 1 p.m. sharp. People are asked to bring non-perishable food items or cash for the Mustard Seed.

See for more information.

editor@saanichnews.com