Teenagers take cold plunge to raise $5K for North Peace Search and Rescue

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — On a frigid day, secondary school students took a chilly dip out on the waters of Charlie Lake.

Students from North Peace Secondary School (NPSS) took part in the Polar Bear Dip event on January 18th to raise $5,000 for North Peace Search and Rescue (NPSAR).

Austin Shaw, a grade 12 student at NPSS, says outdoor temperatures reaching -16 C on the Saturday morning weren’t as difficult to prepare for as much as the wind.

“[I] expected it to be very cold,” explained the 17-year-old. “But I told myself ‘what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger’.

“So I endured the cold and jumped in the water and came out with a smile.”

Outdoor education instructor Scott Hyde said the idea to host the event, held in collaboration with NPSAR, says a partnership is “good” in helping the students train for winter survival and safety techniques.

Some techniques included controlling their breathing in ice cold water, doing a “self-rescue” where students were shown how to get their underwater legs parallel to the ice and having a change of clothes when necessary.

James Morgan, a volunteer at NPSAR, says he hopes one of the most important aspects NPSS students learned was “respect” for the winter elements.

“I would hope that they learned a great deal of respect for water and ice environment,” says Morgan. “The safety aspect when we’re cutting through the ice, we’re always showing how much clear ice is available and safe and what to do.”

NPSS outdoor education students will present the money to NPSAR on Wednesday, February 5th at its hall at 10908C 100th Avenue in Fort St. John.

Find out more about NPSAR at www.npsar.ca