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Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Kamloops Polar Bear Swim

Beaches across the Thompson-Okanagan region will be covered with people dashing into frigid lakes for the annual New Year’s Day polar bear swims, dips and splashes.

"Polar Bears" in the South Okanagan can meet at Sun-Oka Beach in Trout Creek for an icy dip at 12 p.m. on Jan. 1. The 38th annual dip put on by Kinsmen Club of Summerland is by donation with proceeds going to local families and community groups. Dippers can expect warming fires, hot chocolate and hot dogs following their freezing plunge.

Peachland’s annual Dash and Splash starts with a two kilometre or five km walk or run along Beach Avenue and ends with a chilly splash in Okanagan Lake. Check-in for the run is at 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. at the Community Centre and the race starts at 10:30 a.m., while check-in for the swim is at 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. in time for the splash at 1 p.m. at Swim Bay. The swim is free, but pre-check in and waiver signing is required.

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(STEVE ARSTAD / iNFOnews.ca)

People in the Kelowna area can join the annual Kelowna Polar Bear Dip at Tugboat Beach in Waterfront Park at 1 p.m. on Jan. 1, with the icy plunge happening at 2 p.m.

Music, prizes and food trucks will be on site. Tickets are required to participate in the dip while spectators are welcome to join in by donation. The swim is put on by Community Recreational Initiatives Society that works to make recreation accessible for all, and dippers are asked to come early to register and sign a waiver. Go here to preregister and get tickets. 

READ MORE: iN PHOTOS: Beautiful backyard birds brighten up winter in Kamloops, Okanagan

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(ADAM PROSKIW / iNFOnews.ca)

In Vernon, dippers have to wait until Feb. 10 to take their icy polar plunges during the Vernon Winter Carnival wrap up.

The swim is at the Paddlewheel Hall on Okanagan Landing Road. There will be a concession and fire pit, and a silent auction and market in the hall. There is a $10 registration fee or $25 for a family that will be collected on the beach at 12 p.m. before the dip at 1 p.m. All money raised goes to help children at Mission Hill Elementary School. 

Polar bears in the Shuswap can plunge into Shuswap Lake for the 9th Annual Polar Bear Swim at 12 p.m. on Jan. 1. Dippers are meeting at the Scotch Creek Provincial Park boat launch at 11:30 a.m. where there will be a nice fire going down on the beach. Dippers are encouraged to bring a blanket, towel and flip flops.

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In Kamloops, the Kamloops Polar Bear Swim is happening at Riverside Park at 12 p.m. on New Year’s Day. Dippers are cautioned to wear something on their feet to protect from rocks, to bring lots of friends, and to wear a costume or a bikini.

Participants are asked to make a donation to the food bank the following day if they are able to.

— Did we miss any fun, freezing polar bear dips in the Kamloops, Okanagan area? Let us know in the comments or send us an email at news@infonews.ca.

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