It may still feel early to start thinking about icy water, but in Perth, New Year’s Day has a habit of arriving quickly — especially once someone has committed to jumping into the Tay River.
The Perth Polar Bear Plunge is preparing for its 33rd event, with Project Trauma Support named as the 2027 beneficiary.
The tradition began in 1993 when founder and veteran Dave Lavery and a group of locals decided Perth needed a community event to welcome the new year.
More than three decades later, it has become one of the town’s best-known traditions, drawing plungers and spectators to the river every Jan. 1.
Lavery says the tradition has even attracted people from outside Canada, with participants travelling from places including Germany, Dubai and China for a New Year’s Day dip in the Tay.
And the numbers behind all that shivering are impressive.
Lavery says the plunge has raised more than half a million dollars for community organizations over the years.
Lavery says the people watching from the riverbank are every bit as much a part of the tradition as those taking the plunge.
Each year, crowds gather to cheer on friends, family members and complete strangers as they make the trip into the Tay.
For Lavery, seeing that excitement from the ice remains one of the highlights.
This year’s beneficiary, Project Trauma Support, has another reason to be excited.
Founder Dr. Manuela Joannu has already taken the plunge herself, so she knows exactly what new participants can expect.
She says much of the experience is really about the anticipation.
Joannu says once participants are surrounded by teammates, volunteers and spectators cheering them on, backing out becomes a lot harder — and the actual time in the water goes by very quickly.
The event begins New Year’s Day at the Royal Canadian Legion in Perth, with breakfast beforehand and a full safety briefing for participants. Local first responders are on site and in the water as plungers make their way into and out of the Tay.
People can register as individuals or teams, collect pledges or simply make a donation if jumping into icy water is not their idea of a good time.
And this year, there is one more familiar face heading for the river.
During the interview, LanarkLeedsToday.ca’s Bob Perreault officially committed to taking the plunge again — something Lavery was more than happy to make public.
There is still plenty of time to recruit a team, raise some money and work up the courage.
For the brave, the curious and anyone who simply enjoys watching other people make questionable New Year’s Day decisions for a very good cause, the Perth Polar Bear Plunge returns Jan. 1.
You can sign up or donate here.
