For photos and highlights from 2008, please click here.

It's not just a polar bear swim, the 'Swim for Sight' is a zany time and local tradition spanning 40 years. Hundreds of swimmers and thousands of spectators gather in Olcott on the first Sunday every March for what is always a cold and usually icy plunge in Lake Ontario. The day is marked by costumes, boastful exhuberence, tail-gate parties, a respect for winter and eye towards spring. Most of all, it is a fun day that focuses on raising funds to support Lions Club efforts to aid the blind, visually impaired and our community.

The 'Swim for Sight' is similar to a walkathon, where swimmers raise contributions, participate in the Polar Bear Swim and receive t-shirts and prizes based on various contribution levels. We challenge participants to raise $25, $50, $100 or more from friends and family - but many find it works best to get their workplace involved and encourage co-workers to help them raise funds in and outside the workplace. The event is highlighted by the popular Polar Bear Queen contest and tasty festival food is provided by area Lions Clubs and youth groups.

Roll over photo below for another view!

Warm Your Heart!
You will be helping the following Lions Sight Projects:
Canine Helpers for the Handicapped
Glasses for the Sight Impaired
Eye Disease research and treatment
Diabetes treatment and research
Campaign Sight First
Local Food and Soup Kitchens
Lions Camp Badger
Equi-Star Therapeutic Riding
Niagara Frontier Reading Service
Niagara Hospice
Inter-Community Memorial Hospital
Olcott Volunteer Fire Company
Olcott Carousel and Community projects
Guiding Eyes for the Blind
Olcott Lions Scholarship Fund
Rainbow of Help
Vision Beyond Sight