Ian Lindsay & Associates: Ian Lindsay of Lindsay and Associates has played an active role in the local community since 1979. He has been with RE/MAX, Vancouver Island's most advanced real estate business network, since 1996, marketing and selling residential, rural, strata, and recreational investment and project development real estate. Ian has received several awards recognizing his exceptional community commitment locally, as well as awards for outstanding performance and achievement from both RE/MAX International and the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board. You'll find true real estate professionals at IanLindsay.ca.

Eddie Van Haddock & The Rockfish: In a little town by the sea where the stories never end, lived Captain Dave and his crew, every child's favourite friend. With a smile as wide as the ocean and a heart that's full of dreams, he sails a mellow submarine where magic gleams and beams. Every morning at sunrise, when the world awakes anew, Captain Dave and his crew set sail in waters deep and blue. Through the ticking clock of time, where adventures come alive, they laugh and learn and play each day in their underwater dive.

Dave Graham: Captain Dave was standing on the bridge of the Mellow Submarine, enjoying the calm of an early morning at sea when he saw his first mate approach.

"Good morning, Larry. Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year, Captain Dave," replied Larry the Lobster. "Are we going somewhere special today?"

A big smile broke across Captain Dave's face. "We certainly are, my friend. We are surfacing at Parksville Community Park Beach. I heard there's something quite unusual happening there this morning."

"Unusual? What could be unusual about the beach on New Year's Day? Won't it be too cold for anyone to visit?"

"That's exactly what makes it so interesting, Larry. Take a look through the periscope."

"Oh my goodness, Captain Dave! There are hundreds of people on the beach and they're—they're—they're wearing bathing suits in January! Have they gone completely bonkers?"

"Not at all, Larry. They're here for the annual Parksville Polar Bear Swim. It's a wonderful tradition that happens every New Year's Day all across Vancouver Island."

"You mean people choose to jump into the freezing ocean on purpose? Captain, I think we need to warn them that it's winter."

Captain Dave responded with a chuckle. "They know exactly what they're doing, my friend. Let's surface and learn more about this brave tradition. Prepare to surface."

As the Mellow Submarine bobbed gently just offshore, Captain Dave and Larry watched the incredible scene unfolding on the beach. Families bundled in winter coats gathered near the water's edge. Children jumped up and down with excitement. Adults stretched and prepared themselves, some wearing funny costumes, others in simple swimsuits.

"Oh, look at that man dressed as a penguin," Larry pointed with his claw. "And—and that lady is wearing a tutu with her bathing suit!"

"Part of the fun is the creative costumes, Larry," Captain Dave explained. "The Polar Bear Swim isn't just about jumping in cold water. It's about community, courage, and starting the New Year with a splash."

A young girl named Emma stood near the water with her dad. She was about seven years old and wore a bright purple bathing suit with a warm robe over top. She noticed the yellow submarine and waved enthusiastically.

"Look, Dad! It's a submarine, a real submarine right here in Parksville!"

Captain Dave waved back and called out, "Good morning! Are you here for the Polar Bear Swim?"

Emma's dad smiled and nodded. "It's Emma's first time. We're a little nervous, aren't we, Emma?"

Emma nodded, pulling her robe tighter. "The water looks really cold."

Larry couldn't contain himself. "It is cold! Really, really cold! Are you sure about this?"

Captain Dave gently reminded Larry, "Remember, we are here to learn and support, my friend."

Emma giggled at Larry's concern. "Don't worry, Mr. Lobster. My dad says we just run in, get wet, and run right back out. It only takes a minute."

"That's right," Emma's dad said. "We're not swimming laps or staying in long—just long enough to say we did it and to feel that amazing rush."

Captain Dave leaned forward with interest. "Emma, do you know why the ocean actually feels less cold in winter than you might think?"

Emma shook her head.

"Well," Captain Dave explained, "the ocean temperature doesn't change as quickly as the air temperature. Right now, the air might be around, oh, four degrees Celsius, but the ocean water is probably closer to eight or nine degrees. The ocean holds onto its warmth longer than the air does."

Larry's eyes widened. "So the ocean is actually warmer than the beach?"

"Exactly, Larry, although both are quite chilly for humans."

Emma's dad added, "That's why we see steam rising off our bodies when we come out. Our body heat meets the cold air."

"Speaking of bodies," Larry said, his curiosity growing, "how do humans stay warm in cold water? I mean, you don't have blubber like seals or thick fur like sea otters."

Captain Dave smiled. "Excellent question, Larry. Why don't we show Emma and her dad how marine mammals handle cold water? Let's take a little educational dive before the big swim. Emma, keep watching the water right over there." Captain Dave pointed to a spot about 20 metres offshore. "You might see some experts at cold-water swimming."

As if on cue, three harbour seals popped their heads above the surface, their large dark eyes watching the crowd on the beach with curiosity.

"Seals!" Emma squealed with delight.

Larry waved his claw at them. "Hello, cousins! Well, not really cousins, but fellow ocean dwellers."

"Those seals are perfectly comfortable in this water," Captain Dave explained. "They have a thick layer of blubber under their skin that acts like a wetsuit. The blubber traps heat inside their bodies and keeps the cold out."

"That sounds cosy," Emma said, shivering slightly in the breeze.

"And look over there." Captain Dave pointed to a sea otter floating on its back, cracking open a clam. "Sea otters have the densest fur of any animal on Earth. They have up to one million hairs per square inch."

Larry's claws clicked in amazement. "One million? That's a lot of hair!"

"All that fur traps tiny bubbles of air close to their skin," Captain Dave continued. "The air acts as insulation, keeping them warm even in very cold water. Sea otters also eat a lot of food—about 25% of their body weight every day—and that fuels their internal heating system."

Emma's dad nodded thoughtfully. "So marine mammals have special adaptations that humans don't have. That's why we can only stay in for a short time."

"Precisely," Captain Dave said. "Humans can experience something called hypothermia if they stay in cold water too long. That's when your body temperature drops too low. Your body starts shivering to create heat, but if you stay cold too long, it can become dangerous."

"That's why everyone here will only stay in the water for a minute or two," Emma's dad explained to his daughter. "Just long enough for the experience, then right out to dry off and warm up."

"What about you, Larry?" Emma asked. "How do you handle the cold water?"

Larry clicked his claws together proudly. "Well, I'm what Captain Dave calls cold-blooded, which means my body temperature matches the water around me. I don't create my own heat like you do."

"So the cold doesn't bother you at all?" Emma asked.

"It makes me a bit slower," Larry admitted. "In winter, I don't move around as much, but I'm built for it. You humans are built for staying warm on land, which is why jumping in the ocean in January is such an adventure for you."

Suddenly, an air horn blast swept across the bay.

"That's the five-minute warning," Emma's dad said. "Come on, Emma. Let's get ready."

Emma took a deep breath. "Okay, I can do this."

"That's the spirit," Captain Dave called out. "Remember, courage isn't about not being scared. It's about doing something even when you are a little scared."

"And you've got hundreds of people doing it with you," Larry added. "Look at all the support you have."

Emma smiled and started walking towards the gathering crowd. Participants were lining up at the water's edge, many holding hands, others jumping up and down to stay warm and build their courage.

The horn sounded again, and Captain Dave and Larry watched in amazement as a wave of people rushed into the Salish Sea. Some dove right in, fully submerging themselves. Others waded in more cautiously, squealing as the cold water reached their tummies. Emma and her dad ran in together, hand in hand, going waist-deep before turning around with huge smiles on their faces.

"She did it!" Larry cheered, clicking his claws together. "They all did it!"

The water around the Mellow Submarine was filled with happy swimmers, some treading water, others already heading back to shore. The air was full of laughter, shouts of triumph, and the occasional "It's freezing!" mixed with "That was amazing!"

Captain Dave noticed Emma swimming towards the submarine, her dad close beside her.

"We did it!" Emma called out, her teeth chattering but her smile enormous. "Mr. Larry, Captain Dave, we really did it!"

"I'm so proud of you," Larry said. "How do you feel?"

"Cold," Emma laughed. "Really, really cold, but also amazing—like I could do anything!"

"That's the magic of the Polar Bear Swim," Captain Dave said warmly. "Starting your year by doing something challenging and brave."

Emma's dad was guiding her back towards the beach. "Come on, sweetie. Time to get warm and dry."

"Thank you for teaching us about the seals and the otters," Emma called back as they headed to shore.

As the swimmers emerged from the water, volunteers wrapped them in towels and guided them towards hot chocolate stations. Steam rose from hundreds of bodies as warm blood rushed to cold skin. The beach was alive with celebration.

Larry watched thoughtfully. "Captain Dave, I think I understand now. This isn't just about swimming in cold water, is it?"

"No, my friend. It's about much more than that. It's about community—all these people coming together to support each other. It's about starting fresh—the New Year beginning with courage and joy. And it's about challenging yourself to do something outside your comfort zone."

"Kind of like when we explore new underwater caves or help rescue tangled whales?"

"Exactly like that, Larry. We all need moments when we push ourselves a little, try new things, and discover we're braver than we thought."

They watched as Emma, now wrapped in a warm robe and sipping hot chocolate, pointed excitedly at the submarine and told her story to other families. Her cheeks were pink from the cold, but her eyes sparkled with pride.

"You know what's really special?" Captain Dave said. "This tradition happens all over Vancouver Island. Right now, people in Nanaimo, Qualicum Beach, Comox, Campbell River—even way up north—are doing the same thing. Thousands of people across our island are starting their year with this brave tradition."

Larry smiled. "I love that, Captain. Everyone connected by cold water and courage."

"And did you know," Captain Dave added, "that Coast Salish peoples have their own winter bathing traditions? For generations, they've used cold-water immersion for spiritual cleansing and renewal, especially in winter. It's about honouring the power of water and starting fresh."

"So this connects to the traditions of the people who've lived here for thousands of years?" Larry asked.

"In some ways, yes. It's about respecting the ocean's power and using that connection to make ourselves stronger."

As the beach slowly cleared and families headed home to warm houses and New Year's meals, Captain Dave prepared to submerge the Mellow Submarine.

"What did we learn today, Larry?"

Larry thought carefully. "We learned that humans aren't built for cold water like marine mammals are, but they're brave enough to try it anyway. We learned about blubber and fur and how different animals stay warm. We learned that sometimes the best way to start something new is to jump right in, even if it is scary."

"Beautifully said, my friend. And we learned that doing challenging things together as a community makes them less scary and more fun."

"Captain Dave," Larry asked as they prepared to dive, "do you think we could come back next year?"

"I think that's a wonderful idea, Larry. It's a tradition worth supporting."

As the Mellow Submarine slipped beneath the waves, Larry took one last look at the beach through the porthole. Emma was still there, showing her Polar Bear Swim certificate to her friends, pointing at the water where she'd been so brave.

"Happy New Year, Emma," Larry whispered. "Happy New Year to everyone who tries new things, faces their fears, and jumps in with both feet."

Captain Dave smiled and set their course for home. "Well said, Larry. Now, how about we explore those warm thermal vents near Nanoose Bay? I think we've had enough cold water for one day."

Larry laughed, his claws clicking merrily. "That sounds perfect, Captain. Absolutely perfect."

And so the Mellow Submarine carried its crew into the New Year, leaving behind a beach full of brave swimmers and a community connected by cold water, courage, and the joy of trying something new together.

Eddie Van Haddock & The Rockfish: When the night falls softly, and stars light up the sky, Captain Dave tucks his crew in with a gentle lullaby. Dreams of whales and mermaids, of treasures lush and green, await each little sailor aboard the Mellow Submarine.

Ian Lindsay & Associates: Ian Lindsay of Lindsay and Associates has played an active role in the local community since 1979. He has been with RE/MAX, Vancouver Island's most advanced real estate business network, since 1996, marketing and selling residential, rural, strata, and recreational investment and project development real estate. Ian has received several awards recognizing his exceptional community commitment locally, as well as awards for outstanding performance and achievement from both RE/MAX International and the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board. You'll find true real estate professionals at IanLindsay.ca.