Not just for New Year's: B.C.'s cold-water swimmers tout benefits of icy plunges

Thousands of people in B.C. will be running into the frigid ocean to ring in the New Year at events across the province Wednesday. But for others, every day brings a new chance to take a polar plunge.

Barbara Bialokoz braves the chilly waters off Oak Bay's Willow’s beach in a daily ritual she calls invigorating.

“Right now, I feel incredible,” she said on Tuesday after emerging from the ice-cold sea.

She’s not alone in embracing a freezing dip in the ocean on a regular basis.

Seven hundred students at the University of Victoria charged into the sea at a recent event organized by the UVic Polar Dippers, one of the university's most popular clubs.

“It boosts your adrenalin and it gives you this feeling for the rest of the week of just excitement,” said the club’s co-president, Pierre-Olivier McGeough.

McGeough says the low temperatures make the experience uniquely social.

“It’s amazing at building community, as you're doing something uncomfortable with a lot of people. It kind of cuts out the small talk and you get to know people a lot quicker,” he said.

Various studies suggest cold water dipping may have several health benefits, including increasing your circulation, boosting your immune system, reducing stress and anxiety and enhancing your mood.

While the science on this is still evolving, those who do it, swear by it

“It’s very calming and resetting, so if you're having a very stressful day, within five seconds of being in the water, one feels completely calm and happy,” said Bialokoz.

As people prepare to embrace the plunge – whether as a one-time experience or as part of their regular routine – experts say it's important for beginners to be careful not to stay in the water too long, and to make sure they're not alone the first time they try.