2026 Polar Bear Dip in Port Dover: Cold, Crazy, and Unforgettable

The third annual family Polar Bear Dip in Port Dover is officially in the books, and wow, this year was hands down the coldest one yet. With the wind chill hovering around -15°C and the water sitting at a brisk 3.8°C, this plunge was not for the faint of heart.

Our group of six included me, four of my six daughters, Saffron, Kaiya, Missy, and Ariel, along with Joel, Ariel's husband. All six of us made the trip and intended to take part. Not everyone made the full commitment, though. Kaiya wisely backed out before we even reached the water, and Missy bravely dipped one foot in before deciding that was more than enough. The remaining four of us took the full plunge.

The Journey to the Water

The first two years were simple. We walked straight off the beach and into the lake. Cold, yes, but manageable.

This year was different.

The shoreline was frozen solid, which meant navigating a stretch of slick, uneven ice just to reach the open water. There was plenty of slipping, sliding, and the occasional near fall. Doubts and regret were plentiful, mostly coming from me, but once we committed, there was no turning back.

And then came the moment of truth.

The Plunge

We froze.
We laughed.
Missy cried.

And the family tradition carried on.

There is something oddly magical about standing in icy water on New Year's Day surrounded by family. It is terrifying, exhilarating, and hilarious all at the same time, especially with a cheering section that included Mom, Tabitha, Shelley, Joan-Marie, and Meah, who were there to support us and probably enjoy the spectacle a little too much.

And then there were these two polar bears who were cheering us all on!

Celebrating Afterward

Once it was over, we did what any sensible Canadians would do. We warmed up with hot drinks and laughter at Timmies in Dover. It is moments like these, the cold, the chaos, and the shared insanity, that turn into stories you will talk about for years.

Here's to 2026

Frozen toes and icy water aside, it was another successful family adventure.

Happy New Year, everyone. Here's to 2026 being the best year yet, and to many more cold, crazy, and unforgettable Polar Bear Dips in Port Dover.