Virtual events offer cool alternative as new year polar plunges put on ice

Hundreds of bathers take part in the Courage Polar Bear Dip for World Vision in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, on New Year’s Day in 2019 (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

The tradition of taking an icy plunge into the ocean to ring in the new year is going to be different this time round, with plans for many events across the US and Canada changing amid the pandemic.

Organisers of many traditional “polar plunges” have resolved to stay safe on New Year’s Day instead of potentially contributing to the Covid-19 surge.