Published: March 02, 2008 01:33 am      

Local ‘polar bears’ to swim for a cause

STAFF REPORTS

Hundreds of people will make like a polar bear and take a dip in the frigid waters of Lake Ontario today as part of Polar Bear Day to raise money for organizations included in the Olcott Lions Club’s Sight Projects.

While polar bears have a 5-inch-thick layer of blubber and a heavily insulated fur coat to keep them warm during winter swims, participants at this event will have only a bathing suit between them and the 34-degree lake water.

About 576 people had the courage to swim in the waist-high water last year, according to Bill Clark, chair of Swim for Sight at the Lions Club and event organizer for the past 10 years.

“It takes a special character to go in that water and swim, but there are many of them,” Clark said. “Some people go in and get their knees wet and jump out. Others swim and dive and stay in for 5 or 10 minutes.”

Polar Bear Day is an event with a 39-year history and has become a local tradition.

“There’s a lot of tradition. The sons, daughters and even grandchildren of people that swam in the ’70s

participate,” Clark said.

Last year, the swim raised about $15,000 for organizations such as Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Glasses for

the Sight Impaired and local food and soup kitchens, Clark said Swimmers normally collect donations totaling between $25 and

$50 from sponsors. The

minimum donation is $10, but some have raised more than $1,000.

Prizes such as sweaters, jackets and gift certificates will be awarded to participants, based on the size of their donation. Everyone will receive a free Polar Bear Day T-shirt.

This year’s events will begin, snow or shine, at

10 a.m. with a tailgate party. At the same time, participants can register for the swim and hand in their fundraising money until

2 p.m.

Throughout the day, the Highland Games Strongman Competition will be ongoing. This activity will feature men dressed up in kilts engaging in an old-time competition to see who can throw the heaviest objects the farthest with the most accuracy. According to Clark, old Celtic war heroes would compete in these types of competitions.

At 1:45 p.m., the Polar Bear Queen Contest will take place, determining who will have the honor of being the first to go in the water. The winner will be chosen by Lions Club judges based on who best exhibits the spirit of Polar Bear Day.

Swimming will start at

2 p.m. for adults and about 1:50 p.m. for children 18 and younger at Olcott Beach.