Two Greater Victoria athletes will be doing a polar dive at the Esquimalt Lagoon Wednesday to mark the beginning of a new year and a fresh decade.

Victoria HarbourCats former pro player Troy Birtwistle and two-time Olympian Bruce Deacon will be performing the “Ceremonial First Dive” at the New Year’s Day Polar Swim at Esquimalt Lagoon to raise money for the Victoria Women’s Transition House.

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“I look forward to it, it will be fun, and it is a great cause,” says a statement from Birtwhistle, who performed the dive once before in 2018.

Deacon, a three-time world track and field champion and GM of the upcoming Pan Am Cross Country Cup, will take the plunge alongside Birtwhistle. Deacon also coaches a high-performance run group for youth athletes.

The swim, hosted by Smart Dolphins IT, will start at noon with a traditional welcome from Darwyn Seaweed of Songhees First Nation and will include a New Year’s Day Levee. Awards will be given out for best costume, first in the water and the fully-immersed contest.

Organizers suggest donating $5 for the swim. Those who donate $30 or more get a commemorative shirt, unlimited chocolate and a reservation under the portable heaters.

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