Nearly 100 swimmers took the plunge at the second annual PEAK Polar Bear Swim at Canal Beach, Thursday (Jan. 1) at noon.
The Heart of Vancouver Island team, led by former mayor John Douglas and including some city and chamber of commerce staff members, won the best costume award.
Simon De Waal, 77, won the Jim Rutherford Memorial award for the oldest swimmer.
David Wiwchar, operations manager at the PEAK, estimated between 500 and 600 people came out to watch the event at the beach and participate in the hotdog roast at the end.
For more photos from the event, check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Alberni-Valley-News.