More than 250 intrepid Ottawans and Gatineau residents kicked off 2026 with a bracing challenge, plunging into the icy waters of the Ottawa River during a New Year's Day polar bear dip at Britannia Beach.
A Chilling Start to the New Year
The free community event, held on the morning of Thursday, January 1, 2026, saw participants gather on the beach where the air temperature hovered around -15 degrees Celsius, with a wind chill making it feel significantly colder. Organized by the collaborative efforts of Cold Play Ottawa, Ottawa Cold Plunge, and Ritual Recovery, the plunge united the National Capital Region's growing community of cold-water enthusiasts.
Among the first-timers was Cédric Raffa, 41, from Gatineau, who described the dip as a deliberate "good challenge" to set a positive tone for the year ahead. "I wanted to start 2026 doing something hard, and make the year better, after," Raffa stated after quickly bundling up post-plunge.
Doubling the Dedication
This year's event demonstrated a massive surge in popularity, with the turnout of about 250 people more than doubling the participation seen in 2025. The plungers, after signing safety waivers, were led through a 10-minute routine of breathing exercises and stretches before braving the elements.
They then shed their winter layers down to swimsuits and sandals, stepping into a trench carved through the river's icy canopy. Coach Andre Labelle guided participants through the experience, timing their immersion and encouraging them to push through the initial shock of the frigid water.
Newcomers Mike Chan, 37, and Cass Delenardo, 36, took the plunge together, staying in the bone-chilling water for roughly 90 seconds. "A new beginning to a new year," said Chan. Delenardo, who admitted she expected to immediately jump out, found the experience surprisingly tolerable. "After a few seconds in, it was a lot better. I loved it. I think I'll come back," she remarked, calling it a "fresh, cold new start."
Safety and Community in the Cold
The event was conducted under strict supervision, with organizers emphasizing safety. An online notice clearly stated that while cold exposure is safe for most healthy individuals, the plunge was not recommended for anyone with heart, circulatory, or cold-related conditions, or for those who are pregnant.
The successful gathering highlights the expanding community around cold water immersion in the region, a practice participants engage in regularly beyond just the annual New Year's tradition. The event provided a stark, invigorating, and communal way for hundreds to symbolically wash away the old year and embrace the new with resilience and a shared sense of adventure.
