Over 50 people took the plunge at the annual Polar Bear Swim in the South Thompson River in Kamloops on New Year`s Day, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015 Jennifer Stahn

PHOTOS: Annual Kamloops Polar Bear dip in the icy river

KAMLOOPS – Over 100 people showed up for the annual Polar Bear Swim in the South Thompson River in Kamloops on New Year's Day.

About half of the crowd gathered in Riverside Park jumped into the figid waters. With an air temperature of -6 C, ice was crusted along the shoreline.

The swim is a fundraiser for the Kamloops Food Bank and over $100 in cash was collected along with almost 200 lbs of food, according to one of the organizers Linda Gayfer.

She says this year's donations probably quadrupled what was collected in 2014.

Testing the waters before the Kamloops Polar Bear Swim at Riverside Park, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. Jennifer Stahn

FILE PHOTO – Participants in the Kamloops Polar Bear Swim didn`t linger long on the icy waters of the South Thompson River in Riverside Park, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. Photographer: Jennifer Stahn

FILE PHOTO – Some came dressed for the occasion at the Kamloops Polar Bear Swim at Riverside Park, Thursday, Jan 1, 2014. Photographer: Jennifer Stahn

Linda Gayfer, one of the Kamloops Polar Bear Swim organizers, jumped into the South Thompson River with the other 50 participants, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. Jennifer Stahn

The rush to get out of the frigid waters of the South Thompson River at the Kamloops Polar Bear Swim, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. Jennifer Stahn

The exit from the icy South Thompson River during the Kamloops Polar Bear Swim, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. Glynn Brothen

Blankets and towels await the brave swimmers at the Kamloops Polar Bear Swim, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. Glynn Brothen

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Howard Alexander

Howard Alexander

Assistant Editor Howard Alexander comes to iNFOnews.ca from the broadcasting side of the media business.

Howard has been a reporter, news anchor, talk show host and news director, first in Saskatchewan and then the Okanagan.

He moved his family to Vernon in the 90s and is proud to call the Okanagan home.

If you have an event to share contact Howard at 250-309-5343or email halexander@infonews.ca.

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