Sylvan Lake News, February 21, 2013

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NUMBER 09

20 PAGES

Thursday, Th rsda February Febr ar 21, 21 2013

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Polar Bear Dip raises thousands by Treena Mielke Black Press

Fre-e-zing - Jody Hinshaw (left) and Julie Saby from Sylvan Lake were among the 41 participants in the Polar Bear Dip held in Sylvan Lake Feb. 16. The weather was unseasonably warm and a good crowd showed up to watch the fun. The ladies were taking part to raise funds for Community Partners. A total of $24,346.50 was raised for 12 organizations through the dip. Treena Mielke Photo

The polar bear dip might not be a big thing for bears, but for humans, even though the cause is a good one, and it might be fun, exhilarating and exciting, mostly it’s just cold. Really, really cold. For 20-year-old Julie Saby the shock of her body hitting the frigid water of Sylvan Lake, water that is usually buried under a thick layer of ice, is like getting a needle. The pain is sharp, intense, and quick. And then it’s over. “It’s so fast,” said Saby. “The time leading up to it is the worst thing.” Saby participated in the polar dip with her friend, Jody Hinshaw. The ladies wore borrowed bathing costumes from the ’20s. Saby, who also participated in the dip in 2011, came home from Edmonton where she is a third-year biology student at the University of Alberta to take part in this year’s jump. “It’s definitely an adrenalin rush” she said. “And it’s for a good cause.” Jody Hinshaw has participated in the polar bear dip three times. This year, she said she especially loved her ’20s style bathing suit. Continued on page 9

Winterfest provides weekend of entertainment by Treena Mielke Black Press

The winterfest, held last weekend, gave Sylvan Lake a chance to prove it truly is a town for all seasons. And the event, which featured a variety

of indoor and outdoor activities, including the ever popular polar bear dip and the first ever 24-hour skating marathon, did just that. The above average temperatures may have contributed to the size of the crowd that gathered on the frozen lake to watch more than 40 brave souls leap into the icy

waters, and in the process, raise thousands of dollars for local charities. Sylvan Lake resident Grace Baxter, was part of the crowd who stood on the sidelines cheering as the polar dip participants braved the elements. “You have to appreciate the people jumping in,” she said. “The vast majority of us are

too chicken to do it.” The skating marathon, another test of endurance, attracted 17 skaters and a great many volunteers, some of whom kept skaters supplied with food and warm drinks during a long, cold night and onto the next day. Continued on page 7


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