By Greg Fry

Kamloops Polar Bear Swim set for New Year’s Day

Dec 27, 2017 | 2:42 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s an annual tradition and it continues Monday at Riverside Park: the Kamloops Polar Bear Swim.

Dozens are expected to brave sub-zero temperatures starting at noon sharp.

“Everybody counts down and strips down, runs in the water and runs back out and tries to get warm as fast as they can,” says yearly participant Stephanie Baotic, who acknowledges the colder the conditions, the weaker the turnout.

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“I think it’s supposed to warm up a bit more than this. Every year is different. It was really windy last year so I don’t think many people came out. Maybe 50.”

If you do plan on taking part this year, Baotic has the following advice.

“I recommend wearing water shoes or sometimes people put vasoline on their feet or bring a thermos of hot water for your hands and feet afterwards. That’s usually what I do.”

There is no entry fee and organizers say food bank donations are welcome.