Swimmers plunge into Lake Ontario for 55th annual Olcott Polar Bear Swim

Thomas Tedesco, Lockport Union-Sun & Journal, N.Y.
·2 min read

Mar. 3—OLCOTT — Whether it was simply to have fun or raise money in memory of a loved one, hundreds of swimmers took a plunge into the freezing waters of Lake Ontario Sunday afternoon.

In total, 280 swimmers took part in the 55th annual Polar Bear Swim and pledged donations to support numerous local charities and groups.

While the event, organized by the Olcott Lions Club, is well-known as being the "Swim for Sight," they have continued to expand the event's reach to various local causes including programs of neighboring Lions clubs and the WNY Riding Club, which raises money for Mercy Flight.

Olcott Lion Aaron Day, event chair, said it is the oldest organized charity swim in New York state.

Crowds of perspective swimmers and spectators began lining the streets of Olcott on a foggy Sunday morning in anticipation of taking the icy plunge later in the afternoon.

Among the tailgaters was a group of 30 people wearing banana costumes. The group, referred to as "Slippery When Wet" was organized by Tonawanda resident Holly Fiore and had pledged more than $3,000 this year.

Members of the group traveled from areas as far away as Rochester and New York City for the group's third year of participation in the swim.

"We have a good time and that's what keeps us coming back," Fiore said.

Similarly, a group of "pirates" were also among the tailgaters leading up to the swim.

The group of 39 people, dubbed "Tulip's Tipsy Pirates" was organized by Niagara Falls residents Adam Berg, Mike Seick, and Anthony John Tulip-D'Aloise.

While their group had been participating in the Polar Bear Swim for about 20 years, this year it raised $2,000 for Tulip-D'Aloise's mother, Suzette, who died shortly after last year's swim.

"One of her last requests was for us to wear the pirate costumes this year, so that's what we did," Seick said.

As the afternoon wore on, the groups lined up outside Ye Olde Log Cabin in Krull Park for the first-ever costume contest and "Parade of Heroes" led by Niagara County Sheriff Michael Filicetti and Emergency Management Director Jonathan Schultz.

Soon after, groups began to make their way to Olcott Beach where they began to wade their way through the reported 32-degree waters of Lake Ontario.

While there was no ice on the lake this year, it appeared from shore that swimmers were feeling the effects of the near-freezing waters as they made their way in and out of the chilly lake.