Last year 35 participants raised $2,288 for diabetes research. Melody Gaboury, this year’s organizer, wants to surpass last year, hoping to raise up to $5,000.
“All of the proceeds go to the Canadian Diabetes Association,” said Gaboury. “When I first started volunteering I didn’t realized that the Bears Paw puts the money forward for the event, which I thought was pretty awesome.”
Participants who are willing to go that extra mile and wear a costume while leaping into the frigid water will be eligible for prizes such as best costume. Prizes include Marmot lift tickets and items donated by local businesses.
“It is actually a good way to raise money,” said Gaboury. She said that extra pledges often come in when participants wear something funny.
Mountain Park Lodges will be on hand providing hot drinks of coffee, tea or hot chocolate, not only to participants but to spectators as well.
The hole, in which participants will risk thermal shock, will be cut out of the ice the day before and during the event they will be lined up three at time. According to Gaboury the water is shallow, perhaps chest deep depending upon your height. She recommends participants wear shoes as they will be standing on the ice waiting their turn, but also because of the uneven and potentially rocky bottom.
During the event an ambulance will be on hand and also well equipped safety personnel at the water to assist if necessary. Participants will also be able to utilize the heated tents, provided by the Jasper Folk Festival organizers, that will be set up close by.
Historically the top dipper was Corey Hugie during the first year of the event. Hugie raised $1,300 dollars when he pledged to wear a bikini if donations topped $1,000. True to his word he slipped on a bikini and jumped in. The total raised the first year was $3,500.
Gaboury has her own personal connection to the cause.
“The reason I got involved is that my partner is a type one diabetic,” explained Gaboury. “I see what it is like to live with diabetes every day.”
Gaboury herself has decided she will take the challenge. Wanting the event to be a big success she has pledged to take the leap into the icy abyss if she can raise $2,000 for diabetes.
“I’m going to tell myself it’s going to be warm,” Gaboury said.
Anyone wishing to push Gaboury toward a January dip in Patricia Lake should contact her with their pledge at [email protected].
If you are adventurous and the thought of being immersed in frigid water doesn’t bother you, then perhaps you are just the person to help the cause of diabetes research. Send out the challenge. What would it take to get one of your friends to wear an outrageous outfit and jump into freezing cold water?
Registration begins at noon at Patricia Lake on Jan. 20 and the cold plunge starts at 1 p.m. All participants will be required to sign a waver and provide a minimum donation of $20.
