About Alex Cullen

'It's refreshing, but damn cold'

Polar bear events raise funds for charity, school program

BY TIM SHUFELT
Ottawa Citizen - January 2, 2009

Icy water and daring were in abundance at Britannia Beach yesterday. A healthy aversion to hypothermia? Not so much.

Dozens of fearless and shirtless thrill-seekers sneered at the elements and plunged themselves in the Ottawa River for the annual Polar Bear Dip to raise money for physically and developmentally challenged children.

Alex the Polar bear Among the masochists was Bay Councillor Alex Cullen. "Everyone should do this at least once in their life," Mr. Cullen said.

"This is Canada, the true north strong and free, the frozen north. we're the second coldest capital in the world so we got to show that we can do things to cope with this."

Others had equally lofty motives.

Dale McKay said he decided to take the plunge because "somebody loaned me a towel." When asked if he liked the cold, he said: "Not particularly."

It was too cold for logic.

With a brisk wind blowing across the river making the air feel around -20 C, Mr. McKay stood at the edge of a hole cut in the ice wearing just his underwear. Without any ado, he jumped feet first through the hole to the screams of the shivering crowd.

Mr. McKay calmly climbed out onto the ice and walked back into the crowd as chunks of ice stuck to his bare feet.

"My feet are cold," he said, taking an early lead for the greatest understatement of 2009.

Of the 45 jumpers, some clambered out of the water in states of near panic and lunged for towels and blankets.

Mr. Cullen emerged a little blue in the lips and raised his arms in the air. "It's refreshing," he said. "But it's damn cold."

Paramedics were on hand to watch for hypothermia and cardiac problems from the shock of cold water.

According to organizer Steve Stewart, the event raised about $5,000 for President's Choice Children's Charity.