Normalair Underwater Club divers plunge into winter waters at Emmarentia Dam
There were prizes to be won, strange treasures to uncover, and a dam to protect as divers took on the icy challenge of the 64th annual Polar Bear Dive.
As the southern hemisphere prepared for its winter solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year, a group of Emmarentia divers once again embraced one of the city’s coolest traditions.
Read more: Local diver plunges into a whole new world
Normalair Underwater Club hosted its 64th annual Polar Bear Midwinter Dive at their club on June 20, continuing a ritual that dates back to the club’s founding more than six decades ago.
Water temperatures are said have hovered around 14ºC, and an even harsher wind chill awaited them above the surface, as participants plunged into the depths of Emmarentia Dam, not only for bragging rights, but for something much bigger.
“It’s a tradition we’ve had for 64 years,” said committee member Daleen Potgieter, “but it’s also a service to the community, because thousands of people use this dam.”
From sailors and paddlers to scouts, triathletes, and families, a lot of people enjoy the dam, which is arguably one of Johannesburg’s most treasured recreational spaces. Yet over the years, divers have discovered that not everyone treats it that way. “We’ve found all sorts of things. False teeth, chopping boards, old records, and even the bench we’re sitting on came out of the dam.”
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One diver famously surfaced believing he had discovered a body, only to realise he had found the torso of a mannequin, and many divers have recovered rusted firearms and ammunition, discarded underwater.
Participants are required to remain submerged for at least 10 minutes, but no longer than 30 minutes to avoid hypothermia. The event also featured prizes, including restaurant vouchers, dive equipment, and a coveted dive trip to Sodwana Bay. For many, however, the biggest reward is keeping alive a tradition built on loyalty, friendship, and community service.
“It shows that we value our history and the beautiful place we protect.”
As the middle of winter officially arrived on June 21, the Polar Bear Dive once again proved that some traditions are simply too cool to let fade away.
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