Strong winds and almost freezing temperatures didnB次元官网网址檛 deter hundreds of brave souls from jumping into Lake Ontario in a New YearB次元官网网址檚 Day tradition.

Some 750 people took part in the Courage Polar Bear Dip in Oakville., Ont., just west of Toronto on Wednesday.

Aiden Peel, who travelled more than 100 kilometres from Innisfil, Ont., to take the plunge said it was his way to get a fresh start in the new year without a hangover.

The Oakville-based polar bear dip has been running for 40 years, and is one of many such events across the country that raise money for charity.

The event attracted people of all ages. Among the participants was eight-year-old Evelyn Gray, who was planning on taking the polar dip with her father.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 very excited because IB次元官网网址檝e always wanted to do this,B次元官网网址� she said.

World Vision Canada CEO Michael Messenger said the plunge is expected to raise about $100,000, but numbers wonB次元官网网址檛 be finalized for B次元官网网址渁 couple of days.B次元官网网址� He said the funds will be used to provide clean water in Congo and Zambia this year.

Messenger, who is also an Oakville resident, said he has personally also taken part in the dip for the past 17 years.

B次元官网网址淭his is an incredibly meaningful event for me,B次元官网网址� he said in an interview. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a little bit crazy. (IB次元官网网址檓) not a big fan of the cold water, but I am a big fan of the warm hearts of people here in Oakville.B次元官网网址�

Across the country in Vancouver, hundreds lined up to take a plunge into the Pacific Ocean at English Bay Beach on Wednesday afternoon.

Temperatures hovered around 7 C when the cityB次元官网网址檚 official 105th annual polar bear swim kicked off at noon. The event runs for about four hours and includes a more than 90-metre swimming race.

See the related links below for some highlights of Polar Bear swims from across British Columbia.