A 100-day cold plunge challenge has brought icy waters, warm community spirit, and nearly $40,000 in fundraising for Grand Manan’s food bank.
Kyle Mawer, also known as “The Drifter” from Grand Manan, embarked on this extraordinary journey as a personal New Year’s resolution.
What began as a small-scale challenge grew into a community-wide campaign, inspired by the growing demand for food bank services, which have seen a 25 per cent increase in need over the past year.
Thursday marks the grand finale of Mawer’s inspiring journey, which has brought humour, heartwarming moments, and sheer dedication to the forefront of his community’s spirit.
From plunging into freezing lakes on bitter winter nights to hosting memorable events like the Tarzan Rope fundraiser, Mawer’s effort has captured attention far and wide.
Mawer’s nickname, “The Drifter,” reflects his adventurous lifestyle and love for exploring new places.
Mawer explained that after working and travelling around the world, including time spent in Australia with fellow drifters, the moniker stuck to him.
He even created “The Drifter Network,” a YouTube and social media channel where he shares stories of van life enthusiasts and wanderers he’s met along the way.
On Grand Manan, he said the nickname has become a reflection of his free-spirited nature and deep connection with his community.
A full-time commitment
Mawer describes the effort as being like a full-time relationship.
“You’re full-time committed to it and kind of revolving your schedule around it,” he said.
From braving icy waters after long days of lobster fishing to improvising with hoodies when towels were forgotten, Mawer’s journey has been one of discipline, humour, and community spirit.
One of the campaign’s highlights was on day 94 with the Tarzan Rope, which brought hundreds of participants together and raised thousands in donations.
“The wharf was just filling up with people, the music was going…it felt like we were in a Stanley Cup final,” Mawer recalled.
Mawer kept the campaign engaging by involving special guests, including local children, teachers, and exchange students.
He also added a playful touch on Day 99 by wearing a Wayne Gretzky jersey for his cold plunge in honour of the hockey legend’s iconic number.
Quirky moments along the way
The campaign hasn’t been without its challenges.
Mawer remembers one particularly frigid night in Fredericton, where wind chills of minus 16 degrees made getting out of the ice hole an ordeal. Despite these hardships, Mawer has maintained his enthusiasm, calling cold plunges the “ultimate destresser.”
Mawer’s two adventurous cats have also made appearances throughout the campaign, with one even floating on an iceberg during a creek swim.
“Everyone loves a video with cute kittens, and they’ve been good companions for the swims,” he said.
Final plunge and the road ahead
At 6 p.m. on Thursday, Mawer will host his final plunge with a community potluck at Seal Cove Sand Beach.
The celebration will include a barbecue, cake, and plenty of food, offering newcomers a supportive space to try cold plunging for the first time.
While Mawer doesn’t plan to repeat his 100-day challenge next year, he hopes to continue hosting annual fundraising events to support the food bank.
“Doing something that’s hard every day…it’s good for you and for your daily life just to kind of switch things up and not get stuck in a rut,” Mawer said.
Donations to Mawer’s campaign will remain open on his GoFundMe page for a short time after it ends.
All proceeds go directly to Action Ministries, which provides food, medical travel support, and power bill assistance to island residents.
As Mawer prepares to cap off his journey from creek swims to Stanley Cup-like fundraisers, his dedication has made waves for a cause that matters.
