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In Halifax, Ottawa, Oakville, Port Dover and Vancouver thousands dunked themselves in frigid water for charity and fun.

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Austin Merrell, 14, of Port Dover, high-dives at the annual Polar Bear Swim in the frigid waters of Lake Erie, on the beach in Port Dover, Ontario, Saturday, January 1, 2011. The air temperature was 10 Celius, much warmer than the 0 degree water.

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Participants await to dive into the frigid waters of English Bay during the 91st annual Polar Bear Swim in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, January 1, 2011.

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Participants in the The Courage Polar Bear Dip for World Vision, Canada's largest charity polar bear dip, brave the frigid waters of Lake Ontario on New year's Day Saturday Jan. 1, 2011. Approximately 700 people stripped down, took the cold plunge and raised arount $150,000 for World Vision.

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Ernie Ross, 76, jumps from the government wharf as he participates in the annual polar dip in Herring Cove, N.S. on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011. About 100 people registered to jump into the ocean to welcome the new year and support Feed Nova Scotia.

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Participants in the The Courage Polar Bear Dip for World Vision, Canada's largest charity polar bear dip, brave the frigid waters of Lake Ontario on New year's Day Saturday Jan. 1, 2011. Approximately 700 people stripped down, took the cold plunge and raised arount $150,000 for World Vision.

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People watch as Maiko Mongeon, 23, dressed in costume jumps into the water during the annual New Years Day Polar Bear swim in Ottawa on Saturday, January 1, 2011.

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A woman wearing a cardboard box on her head as a costume walks past police officers after taking part in the 91st annual Polar Bear Swim at English Bay in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday January 1, 2011.

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Dressed in a tuxedo and holding a French horn, Ken Petry takes a dip in the frigid waters of English Bay during the 91st annual Polar Bear Swim in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday January 1, 2011.

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A participant reacts to the frigid waters at English Bay during the 91st annual Polar Bear Swim in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, January 1, 2011.

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A participants dressed in a shark costume runs from the cold waters of English Bay while taking part in the 91st Polar Bear Swim in Vancouver, British Columbia January 1, 2011.

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