Courage on Ice: Polar Bear Dip Eyes $2.5M Milestone for Clean Water

OAKVILLE, ON – December 29, 2025 – While many will spend New Year's Day recovering from festivities, a uniquely brave and boisterous crowd will gather on the shores of Lake Ontario with a different plan: a headfirst plunge into its frigid waters. The 41st annual Courage Polar Bear Dip is set to return to Oakville's Coronation Park, continuing a beloved tradition that channels a moment of exhilarating shock into a lifeline for communities thousands of miles away. Hundreds of participants, clad in everything from elaborate costumes to classic swimwear, are expected to take the dip, cheered on by thousands of spectators, all in the name of tackling the global water crisis.

This year's event carries a significant financial goal. Organizers aim to raise $100,000 to push the event's lifetime fundraising total past the $2.5 million milestone. Since partnering with World Vision Canada in 1995, the dip has already raised an impressive $2.47 million, funding critical clean water initiatives that transform lives and futures.

A Four-Decade Tradition of Bold Giving

What began as a daring challenge among friends has evolved into Canada's largest charitable polar bear dip. For 41 years, the event has been a New Year's Day fixture in Oakville, drawing participants and supporters from across the region who embrace the cold for a cause. The atmosphere is famously festive, with live music and a vibrant costume contest for 'Best Individual' and 'Best Group' adding to the spectacle before the main event. It's a gathering that embodies community spirit, where the shared shivers on the shoreline generate a powerful warmth of collective purpose.

"For 41 years, this community has shown incredible heart and dedication," says Todd Courage, who co-founded the event with his brother Trent. "Each year, we're reminded that a few brave seconds in cold water can create lasting change for children and families who lack access to clean water."

This enduring commitment is a testament to the event's deep roots and its tangible impact. The partnership with World Vision Canada has provided a direct and effective channel for the funds raised, ensuring that the courage displayed in Oakville translates into concrete results for some of the world's most vulnerable people. The annual tradition has become a powerful symbol of how local action can drive global change, uniting a community in a bold statement of compassion to start the new year.

From Icy Plunge to Life-Changing Impact

The thrill of the dip is temporary, but its effects are designed to be permanent. The $100,000 raised from the 2026 event will directly support World Vision's clean water projects in Ghana and Honduras. In these regions, the lack of accessible, safe water is a daily crisis that perpetuates a cycle of poverty and disease. Children, often girls, are forced to miss school to walk for hours each day to fetch water that is frequently contaminated, leading to the spread of waterborne illnesses like cholera and typhoid.

Funds from the Courage Polar Bear Dip help break this cycle by financing the construction of wells, water purification systems, and sanitation facilities. This provides communities with safe, reliable water close to home. The ripple effect is profound: disease rates drop, children can reclaim their education, and parents have more time to work and provide for their families. It is a foundational change that empowers entire communities to build healthier, more prosperous futures.

"The remarkable 41-year commitment shown by the Courage family and the entire Polar Bear Dip community is truly inspiring," says Allison Alley, President and CEO of World Vision Canada. "Every year, this partnership translates fun and fearlessness into tangible change, helping us deliver clean, safe water - a foundational necessity - to vulnerable children and families. We look forward to seeing the community come together again to help us surpass the $2.5 million goal and continue building a healthier future."

A Family's Vision Fueling Global Change

The unwavering passion behind the event stems from the personal experiences of its founders. Co-founders Todd and Trent Courage remain the driving force, their commitment continually renewed by a firsthand understanding of the cause. After witnessing the life-altering impact of World Vision's water projects during a trip to Kenya, their mission became crystal clear. They saw how a simple well could unlock potential for an entire village, and they brought that perspective back to their community fundraiser.

"Clean water doesn't just change a day - it changes a future," says Trent Courage. "And this year, when you dip, you're helping give a future to families in Ghana and Honduras."

This deep, personal connection to the cause has been instrumental in the event's longevity and success. It's a story of a family's vision that has mobilized a community and sustained a powerful partnership for nearly three decades, proving that consistent, dedicated effort can create waves of change far beyond the shores of Lake Ontario.

How to Make a Splash on New Year's Day

Organizers are inviting everyone—from seasoned dippers to first-timers—to get involved in the 41st annual event. Whether participating in the plunge, sponsoring a dipper, or simply joining the crowd to cheer, every form of support contributes to the fundraising goal.

The festivities at Coronation Park (1426 Lakeshore Rd W) kick off at 12:30 PM on January 1, 2026, when on-site registration opens. Attendees can enjoy live music, entertainment, and hot drinks to stay warm before the main event. The popular costume contest begins at 1:15 PM, celebrating the creativity and spirit of the participants. At 2:00 PM sharp, the signal will be given, and hundreds will make the courageous dash into the water. Following the dip, the celebration continues with a Post-Dip Party at Tin Cup Oakville, starting at 4:00 PM.

For those ready to embrace the challenge and support the cause, more information, registration, and sponsorship opportunities are available at the official event website, www.polarbeardip.ca.