Canadiana Backpackers Hostel, Toronto?
Every winter there is a little bit of insanity that takes place on the frozen lakes of Canada. There is even a tour from the hostel where travellers pay for the privilige of taking part in an act of sheer madness! (The tour leaves the hostel and is? organised by? Jo-Jo Tours).
It’s called the Polar Bear Plunge. Here’s how it works: “You travel by bus to a frozen lake making sure not to forget your swimming trunks and bathing suits. They chop a large hole in the ice (unless the lake is too large to freeze over) and you jump in!” Crazy? You bet!
The temperature during this exercise is (at least) Zero Celcius; but more probably? -10C? to -20C+! It doesn’t really matter because ANY temperature in that range is lethal in a matter of minutes to a wet, naked? body! The organizers of the “event” ask all participants to sign a waiver in case of frost-bitten extremities, severe hypothermia, cardiac arrest etcetera. This is fun?
They do have certain precautions in all fairness. There are three large Jacuzzi Hot Tubs you can retreat into before you turn into an frozen lump. There? are also well heated trailers to allow you to dry off and change out of your swinsuit into something more appropriate for a Canadian winter.
If your crazy or masochistic enough, come and see us during the winter and we might be able to arrange a trip where you can “go jump in the lake”! To get an idea of what it’s like we sent a member of the Canadiana team to try it out.? Michel is a wild and crazy guy,? and? loved the “Polar Bear Plunge”.? ? ?
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Michel,? otherwise known as number 93.
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This tour was organised by Jo-Jo tours. Throughtout the year we run similar such trips from the hostel.? Keep an eye on this page as? our wild and crazy colleague is going dog sledding? with a group of French women (and he has the photographs to prove it).