Jim Martindale’s “chilly dip” into a lake near Terrace, B.C. won’t soon to forgotten by the Fort Frances resident, who was among about 20 hardy souls to take the plunge New Year’s Day.
The annual “Kermodei Bear Swim” was organized by the Kinsmen Club of Terrace, of which Martindale’s son, Bruce, is a member and chairman of this year’s swim.
The retired Fort High phys. ed teacher, 59, donned a bright-green 1950s suit for the big dip.
“There was no cold going in because we ran in together but when I walked back out, it was cold then,” he chuckled earlier this week after returning home.
“The actual temperature of the water was three C [37 F]. I anticipated it being worse but it was kind of exciting,” he added.
Martindale also garnered the most pledges for the swim, raising $1,270 from local sponsors before he headed west Dec. 22.
Proceeds from the “Kermodei Bear Swim,” which raised more than $7,000 altogether this year, went towards Kinsmen charities in Terrace, including the building of a community recreation facility.
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