With freezing rain pelting the city, several dozen Torontonians embraced the nasty weather by stripping down to their underwear and participating in a Polar Bear skate at the Bentway on Sunday.
“It was awesome! Not even that cold,” said Alice Ainslie, who participated in the event.
The inspiration for the skate came from polar bear dips — a similar style event where brave souls strip down and jump in a frigid lake, said Ilana Altman, the Bentway’s co-executive director.
“We wanted to reinvent that tradition here at the Bentway, and so that gave way to the Polar Bear Skate,” she said.
This year was the organization’s fifth such event. It took place on a figure-eight track under the Gardiner Expressway.
“It’s a growing New Year’s tradition here in Toronto,” said Altman.
Feeling hot, hot, hot
After stripping down to their bikinis, underwear and boxer shorts, skaters looped around the Bentway’s track.
From the speakers, event organizers played “Disco inferno,” “Feeling hot hot hot” and “Celebrate good times.”
Participant Philip Ireland said the skate was “cold and wet,” but for a great cause.
Skaters who shed their layers were invited to donate cold-weather clothing.
Donations were accepted by New Circles, a non-profit which will pass along the items to people in need.
“As much fun as it is, there are lots of people who live in these conditions. I think it’s a good thing to remind everybody about,” said Ireland, who donated two t-shirts and a sweater.
Beating the holiday blahs
Toronto Metropolitan University students Sigourney Baker and Casey Ambuman also participated in the event.
Baker said she spotted the skate on Instagram and thought it looked like fun, having participated once before in a polar bear dip.
Abuman said part of the draw was beating the holiday blahs.
“It’s winter break. We have nothing else to do. May as well come down and participate,” she said.
‘Fun way to end the year’
Second-time polar bear skater Emily Bing Ham said the fun of last year’s event is what brought her out.
A long-time hockey player, Bing Ham said she was excited for the chance to cruise around the track with others.
“It’s a fun way to end the year,” she said.
Prior to the event skaters could warm up in a nearby warming hut, and with hot chocolate provided by an event sponsor.
Skate the Bentway this winter
Skaters who missed Sunday’s event should not despair.
The Bentway’s skating trail will remain open daily from noon until 9 p.m. until Jan. 5.
Once the holidays are over, skating will be offered on a standard schedule — Monday to Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. and on weekends and holidays between noon and 9 p.m.
Skate rentals and sharpening are available every day that the trail is open except for Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
