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Nelsonites take polar plunge

Approximately 75 swimmers plunged into Kootenay Lake on Thursday morning to welcome 2015.
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Approximately 75 Nelsonites plunged into the ice-cold waters of Kootenay Lake on Thursday morning for the annual Polar Bear Swim.

As Nelsonites Cam Butler, Heather Bridle and Craig Pinnell huddled on the beach of Kootenay Lake on Thursday morning at 11:55, warmly bundled against the winter cold, they discussed what their goals were for their upcoming polar bear plunge.

"I'm going to dunk my head," boasted Bridle, who is a member of the Nelson's Rhythm Ropers. The local competitive skipping team organized the event, which raises money for the team to travel to meets. Nearby her teammates were selling chili and hot drinks.

"This is my first time going for the polar bear dip. We're just getting ready to take off our clothes and dive in, I guess," said Butler. "We're expecting it to be barely above freezing."

The beach was covered with snow and an icy wind came off the lake as the swimmers began to line up. Nearby the Nelson Search and Rescue idled in a rescue boat, just in case, while divers in dry suits waded into the shallows in preparation.

So what compelled these Kootenay residents to soldier through this potentially excruciating experience?

"My sister's on the Rhythm Ropers team and since this is a fundraiser for them I figured we'd come out in support," Butler said.

But Pinnell's reasoning was a simpler.

"I just live up the block. I was laying on my couch and decided I may as well go for a swim, you know?"

Approximately 75 Nelsonites took the plunge while 300 watched from the beach. Tom Thomson of the Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce, who has a daughter on the Rhythm Ropers team, said the event usually raises about $800 for the team.