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Toronto has a love/hate relationship with the name of the area just on the east side of the downtown core (starts at Coxwell Avenue) of the city - even their website shows "The Beach/Beaches". Whatever you call it, the area starts at the sandy foot of Lake Ontario and continues north. The favourite part for many is the long and wide stretches of beach full of sun worshipers, swimmers and volleyball teams in the heat of summer. This place is so much fun that even the bell telephones are happy (although it could be one of those new fangled emoticons and not really a sentient telephone who appears to be happy).

Oh yeah, the best part of heaven is the bikinis and thongs.

A walk in the Beach

I was out at night checking the sights around Sunnyside Park and the Bathing Pavilion. The edges of the beach still had hunks of ice gathered along the beach. Surprisingly there were no one in bathing suits taking a dip (you can check out some previous Polar Bear Dips on these posts - 2010, 2011). The large pool looks like it has finally been rebuilt and should be ready for this years swim season.

The dock at Sunnyside beach points out towards the concrete barrier of the inner harbour.

The beaches along the western side of the city provide some great views of downtown Toronto.

The boardwalk, normally full of joggers, pedestrians and bikes is quiet late at night - especially in winter.

Night at Sunnyside Beach

Participants jump for joy after taking part in the Chill.

Toronto has at least two Polar Bear Dips going on New Year's Day January 1, 2011 - 12 noon at Sunnyside Beach (Habitat for Humanity) and 1:30pm at Ashbridges Bay (Sears Great Canadian Chill) and the waters of Lake Ontario are ready for the plunge. Temperatures are expected above the freezing mark so we may only have to watch for rain - you don't want to get wet before the dip! Update: It was both foggy and rainy!

The plunge into Lake Ontario at Sunnyside Beach.

Bring your costumes, thongs and footwear then some warm clothes for afterwards.

The blue hair group wait for the Dip.

The Sears Great Canadian Chill had a large heated tent with a DJ and a costume contest - thermometer man was a little chilly; he had blue balls.

Costume contest including the Santas and Heidi.

See more of my pictures of the Dip and the Chill after the jump.

The Stanley Cup makes it into the water.

Heidi.

Cape Cod shrinkage.

The first group lines up at the Chill.

And in they go at Ashbridges Bay.

The mass plunge at Sunnyside Beach.

Victory.

Wet Elvis.

The Blues are ready.

Santa and his helpers.

Jump in.

Child cancer survivor Tobin Haas makes a inspiring speech at the Sears Chill.

See more lots more photos of the 2011 fun on my earlier post here.

You can also check out my 2010 photos from the Sunnyside Habitat for Humanity Polar Bear Dip.

Polar Bear Dip 2011

Not wanting to join the immense crowds flooding into the malls and stores for all manner of Boxing Day sales (and Boxing Week sales) we decide instead to check out nature and head down to the waters of Lake Ontario. Only birds are swimming in the lakes' cold water which will soon be full of Polar Bear dippers.

I think this is some kind of curious, wingless rodent bird. Polly wants a peanut.

Birdie Num Nums

Surprisingly, water is key to the waterfront and we are lucky that it is not a foul, stinking mess of liquid crap. Instead it is a pretty clean complement to our beautiful city. I always look forward to visiting the area and taking in the fun of the Queens Quay area. From the new wave decks and boat tours to the HTO beach their is plenty to see and do along the shores of Lake Ontario.

Photo Vault - the Quay

Wind, ice, snow, it can't possibly get colder than this! Damn, even today my windows were frozen and I had to get out of my car and actually go into Tim Hortons. It's already time to think back over the gorgeous weather that we had this summer. A seagull flies beside the clothing optional beach that is known as Hanlans Beach in the photo at top while a game of volleyball goes on at beach volleyball central - Ashbridges Bay.