Polar Bear Plunge organizers ready to dive back In

THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay Polar Bear Plunge, presented by PDR Contracting, is set to return to Marina Park this year on April 9, after a two-year hiatus brought on by restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, the fundraising goal has been set at $50,000 and all funds raised for the event will go to support four organizations: Special Olympics Thunder Bay, Roots to Harvest, the Thunder Bay chapter of CNIB, and new in 2022, PRO Kids.

With two years lost to the pandemic, organizers and the charities involved in the event are hoping that experienced plungers will recommit, and new plungers will join in the resuming of an annual tradition that not only celebrates living beside Lake Superior but also raises money for local charities who do important community work in Thunder Bay.

“The Thunder Bay Polar Bear Plunge has been an event that people in the city have looked forward to for more than 10 years now,” said Insp. Ryan Gibson, event chair of the 2022 plunge.

“It’s a fun and crazy day and plungers have always gotten into the spirit of it by dressing up, making funny team names and literally jumping outside of their comfort zones to make a difference for local charities. With PDR Contracting and Copperfin Credit Union supporting the plunge as sponsors again, all money raised goes directly to the charities.”

As organizers of the plunge work to navigate ever-changing pandemic restrictions, things will look a little different in 2022 at the Marina as the Plunge aims to maintain an atmosphere that is both safe and also celebrates community.

“This year we’ll have teams plunge at scheduled times over a longer period throughout the day to allow for spectators and the plungers to spread out over the day,” says Erin Beagle, executive director of Roots to Harvest and one of the organizers.

“Spectators and supporters will also be encouraged to watch the event from home as we’ve enlisted the help of Chad Kirvan from Algoma House to film the entire event.”

Sticking to its origins, the Thunder Bay Polar Bear Plunge remains supportive of the Thunder Bay Chapter of Special Olympics.

With a number of local athletes gearing up to compete in the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Russia, 2022 is a big training year for local Special Olympians like Tyler Rissanen who was also part of the summer crew at the Roots to Harvest Lillie Street Farm in 2021.

“I work hard during training. I never give up. Even if the competition is hard I still try my best. Roots to Harvest and Special Olympics are important to me and my community” said Rissanen when asked to reflect on why the Thunder Bay Polar Bear Plunge is important to him.

Rissanen, along with Amy Cizmar from Thunder Bay have both already secured spots on Team Canada with alpine skier, Carson Smith, just announced this week.

The plunge takes place April 9 at the Marina Park Boat Launch, with community and corporate and Cool Schools teams plunging between 11 am and 3 pm. Plungers can head to the website to register teams at http://www.thunderbaypolarbearplunge.ca/.