It takes a special person to willingly jump in four-degree water in the dead of winter.
On Saturday over 40 people jumped into the frigid water of Lake Nipissing, for the North Bay Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Ontario.
The oldest jumper, Gerald Potvin, turned 86 on the 29th of March. He was among the first to take the plunge. He has participated in at least 20 polar bear plunges in his lifetime. This is his first one in North Bay.
"I haven't done this in quite a few years. I moved here 13 years ago, and I made a decision to become more involved with these Special Olympians. Everybody needs to heighten their sensitivity to people who face challenges every day,” said Potvin, who dedicated his jump to his son David.
"He was a Special Olympian before they had a name for it. He went to a special school in Windsor. He's a strong man. He once lifted a 300-pound log and ran it 400 feet. He's absolutely one of the reasons why I'm doing this."
Special Olympics provides children and adults with intellectual disabilities, opportunities to participate in sports, where they develop self-esteem, and friendships that last a lifetime.
“All the money that we raised goes to Special Olympics Ontario. Any athletes that go on to provincial or national games, all their games are subsidized for them to go. This summer we have about 12 athletes going out to Nova Scotia for our national summer games, and so their fees will be subsidized,” said Rob Saunders Special Olympics North Bay.
"To go off to the national games, there's mandatory training just like any other sport. They must commit to X amount of hours per week, and for X amount of months prior to the games," said Saunders.
There are 200 registered athletes in North Bay, some as young as six years of age, others well into their fifties and sixties.
Athletes compete in a wide variety of sports, including, curling, swimming, golf, floor hockey, track and field, skiing, softball and powerlifting.
"To see them at an event and coming across the finish line, whether they're in first place or last place, the smile on their face is just amazing."
Also amazing were the smiles participants wore after jumping into six feet of ice cold water.
"It was totally worth it. I'll probably do it again".
That was the reaction from Ashley Desrochers after completing her first-ever polar bear plunge, despite her initial misgivings.
"I felt like backing out because it was really cold waiting. Once I got in it was like freezing, and then it was like brrrrrrr, but I really did like it. I just did it because it seemed fun. " explained first timer, Ashley Desrochers.
"It was totally worth it. I'll probably do it again".
Like many other participants, Master Corporal Michael Braam from 22 Wing North Bay, got into the spirit of the day by dressing in costume.
Fittingly, he chose Elsa from the movie Frozen. When he came up for air, part of his costume covered his head, but he decided to just ‘Let it Go.’
"It's transparent so it makes it a lot easier, plus the dive team, I have complete faith in them," he laughed.
"It's a great cause, and I wanted to do something to show my support one way or another, and this seemed like a great way to do it. It wasn't as cold as I expected. I'd do it again,” said Braam.
"The first thought before jumping is, "Why am I doing this.?" Then I obviously remember why I'm here, and you just stop thinking and go. First hitting the water, it is cold, but you know what to expect, so it wasn't too bad. The wind was pretty terrible, but refreshing at the same time. At least you could breathe."
The fundraiser for Special Olympics surpassed its target of $20,000.
