Community Corner

'Solar Bear' Swim Grows From Polar Tradition

After the presents and food, you can join Dunedin's "solar bears" for the annual dip into the St. Joseph Sound.

After a wild morning opening gifts this Christmas, you may find fun at the Dunedin Boat Club beach.

That is the spirit behind Dunedin's version of (formerly called the Dunedin Polar Bear Swim). The name changed this year.

said 11 years ago, her sister Jennifer Dickinson, visiting from Buffalo, NY, "had this brilliant idea that instead of falling asleep on the couch after presents and mass quantities of food, we could swim, be refreshed and start anew." The two once participated in a chilly February polar bear swim in Lake Ontario in February.

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This year's forecast looks promising. The National Weather Service calls for a 77-degree high, light winds, overcast skies and a 30 percent chance of rain.

Last year, 140 people attended in Dunedin; only 37 swam, Carlson said.

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In years past, participants have dressed in costumes for the event.

Want to go?

When: 4 p.m., Christmas day (the swim usually happens around 4:30 p.m.)

Where: Dunedin Boat Club beach in the

Why: For fun only

After party:

[Updated 8:04 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011]


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