MOSSEL BAY NEWS -  It's almost time for the annual Polar Bear Swim, when participants will brave the icy waters at Santos Beach, and at an inaugural swim in Great Brak River, all to raise funds for good causes.

The swim takes place in various parts of the country and will hit three Garden Route beaches: Victoria Bay on 18 July, Mossel Bay's Santos Beach on 19 July and Great Brak River on 25 July.

The swim originated in the Free State's Sand River 30 years ago, and this will be the third instalment of it in the Garden Route, and the first to take place in Great Brak.

All swims will start at 12:00, and a night swim takes place at each beach at 20:00 on the same days.

The funds raised for these icy cold plunges will go to Search and Rescue South Africa (Sarza) and Johenco Tehuis in Sutherland, Northern Cape.

Event organiser Felix Burri said this year, they are encouraging businesses to participate and use the fundraiser as a team-building event. He said the plan for the coastal polar swims is to have gazebo advertising at the event for businesses.

Last year, the swim at Victoria Bay saw 30 swimmers and the one at Santos 16, and the organisers hope the numbers will increase this year.

To find out more about the swim and how you or your business can be involved, contact Burri on 082 851 4584 or visit the Polar bear/Ysbeer swem Facebook page. 

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’