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Susan Eaton

Polar Plunge 2024

The annual Royal Canadian Geographical Society Polar Plunge is back!

This year we are joined by notable Canadians, adventurers, and RCGS Fellows. The #RCGSPolarPlunge will help the Society raise important funding for the rich storytelling and engaging interviews that take place under the banner of the Canadian Geographic Explore podcast.

Our goal is to raise $35,000! With your help we can continue to expand Canadians’ knowledge of our country’s diverse human and physical landscapes, better preparing them for an uncharted future.

Support the 2024 RCGS Polar Plunge!


Please join me in reaching (or surpassing) our Yellowknife team's fundraising goal of $2,500.

The 2024 Royal Canadian Geographic Society (RCGS) Polar Plunge will take place on Monday, March 4, which is also my birthday. Woohoo!

I'm organizing a team of intrepid women polar plungers in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. We'll drive the ice road on Yellowknife Bay and jump into to a plunge pool located near the Arctic Duchess, a retired Canadian Coast Guard vessel.

I'd like to thank Jake Olson of Arctic Duchess Adventures for graciously hosting the third annual RCGS Polar Plunge.

A part of Canada's arctic history, the Arctic Duchess was built in 1961 as a buoy and lighthouse vessel. Previously known as the CCGS Eckaloo, she plied the NWT's shipping lanes, laying buoys from Yellowknife to Hay River and up the mighty Mackenzie River to Inuvik.

Thank you, in advance, for your support of the #RCGSPolarPlunge!

Donations of $20 or more to the RCGS are tax charitable!

Polar Plunge supporters also have the chance to receive a gift of appreciation from the Society. Anyone who donates $100 or more, to one of our plungers, will receive a limited edition RCGS toque. Made of a 50/50 Merino blend, these made in Canada beanies are available for a limited time on the Can Geo Shop.

I'll keep you informed, via regular blogs, photos, and videos, or our Yellowknife team's preparations (mental and physical) for the 2024 RCGS Polar Plunge in Great Slave Lake.

Photo of Arctic Duchess courtesy of Arctic Duchess Adventures.

Photo of fins in the air in pack ice in Frobisher Bay, Nunavut, Canada. Photo is courtesy of Jo Wilkins, Fellow of the RCGS and Principal Photographer, Sea Women Expeditions.

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We survived the polar plunge into Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories!

Thursday 7th Mar

On Monday, March 4, we drove on an ice road to our plunge site. Not all of us successfully navigated the ice road—one of our team members got stuck in a snow bank and her vehicle was recovered the following day...

The air temperature was -30°C and the sun was setting, which made jumping into the plunge pool all the more appealing. Afterwards, we retreated to the nearby sauna. Yellowknifers really do know how to make the best of their long, dark winters...

Team NWT was made up of five northerners, four intrepid gals and one guy, a supporter of our team and the polar plunge.

We'd like to thank our friends and family who turned out to cheer us on, mix hot drinks, and take photos and videos of this third annual #RCGSPolarPlunge.

We'd also like to thank Jake Olson of Arctic Duchess Adventures who partnered with us to make the 2024 #RCGSPolarPlunge possible in Yellowknife.

On Monday, March 4, and over the weekend, Fellows and friends of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS) took to their icy-cold lakes, rivers, streams, and oceanfronts to raise awareness and much-needed financial support for Canadian Geographic and the EXPLORE Podcast.

We salute all the individuals and teams who braved the bracing waters of the North Saskatchewan River, Bow River, Lake Ontario, Meech Lake, and all three oceans in support of making Canada better known to Canadians and the world.

And we’re thankful to everyone who donated to our Team NWT polar plunge campaign in support of thoughtful, independent journalism about our country.

Your gift not only provided critical financial assistance to the Society, but it also helped inspire and motivate Team NWT's members to get in the water, no matter how cold!

Please consider sharing our fundraising link to your friends and colleagues, as we've got two more days to continue fundraising for the #RCGSPolarPlunge. 

Donations recognize the spirited nature of our Team NWT polar plungers and support Canadian Geographic's editorial work, providing Canadians the tools to help reshape our understanding of geography, the natural world—and Canada.

Photo of Jennifer Torode immersed in the plunge pool.

Meet Susan R. Eaton, Leader, Team NWT

Monday 4th Mar
It's a pleasure and honour to lead this intrepid team of northern women who are bold enough to rise to the polar plunge challenge. After all, it's mind over body... At least, that's what I keep telling myself...

A geoscientist, journalist, and polar explorer, I investigate ocean change in the snorkel zone, from Antarctic to the Arctic. 

I hate the cold... But, if you're going to investigate ocean change at the poles, you've got to immerse yourself in the issue...

In 2014, my volunteer-led organization Sea Women Expeditions received an expedition grant and flag from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society to mount an epic dive and snorkel expedition to Nunatsiavut and Western Greenland.

In the past decade, Sea Women has mounted six ocean research and dive & snorkel expeditions, five to the Arctic (Nunatsiavut, Nunavut, Western Greenland, Iceland, and Arctic Norway) and one to the Sea of the Hebrides, Western Scotland. 

In the past decade, more than 130 Indigenous and non-Indigenous women, non-binary, two-spirit, and gender diverse explorers (ages 16 to 78 years) have participated in these six expeditions. 

Sea Women's innovative ocean knowledge sharing and mobilization program, which involves underwater robot-building camps, saltwater aquariums that temporarily house fishes and invertebrates, and scuba diving and snorkelling instruction, has reached more than 1,000 Inuit girls, youths, and Elders in Nunatsiavut, Nunavut, and Western Greenland.

On Monday, March 4th, Team NWT will drive an ice road on Great Slave Lake and jump into a plunge pool located near the Arctic Duchess, a retired Canadian Coast Guard vessel.

Together, Team NWT hopes to raise more than $2,000 by taking the #RCGSPolarPlunge in Great Slave Lake to support the Royal Canadian Geographical Society’s Canadian Geographic EXPLORE Podcast.

Please consider supporting Team NWT on our fundraising page below. Donations of $20 or more are tax charitable.


We''d like to thank Jake Olson of Arctic Duchess Adventures for graciously supporting our polar plunge on Monday, March 4

Photo of Susan R. Eaton in Arctic Norway courtesy of Jo Wilkins, Principal Photographer, Sea Women Expeditions

Meet Jennifer Torode, Member, Team NWT

Monday 4th Mar

I’m pleased to introduce the intrepid women who are bold enough to rise to the challenge. After all, it's mind over body... Al least that's what I keep telling myself...

Jennifer Torode is a newer settler to the NWT, a passionate environmentalist and social justice advocate, working in a leadership role in the Yellowknife Region of the Northwest Territories Health and social services authority (NTHSSA).

Jennifer believes in personally getting involved at a grass roots level and being a visible advocate for northern communities, supporting the unique and vibrant arts and culture, and being a transformation-agent in the health system. She loves spending time in nature and is never happier than when out in the land appreciating its gifts.

This is Jennifer’s first time polar plunging and she’s excited to be part of this intrepid team of women making this happen!

Together, Team NWT hopes to raise more than $2,000 by taking the #RCGSPolarPlunge in Great Slave Lake to support the Royal Canadian Geographical Society’s Canadian Geographic EXPLORE Podcast.

Please consider supporting Team NWT on our fundraising page below. Donations of $20 or more are tax charitable.


We'd like to thank Jake Olson of Arctic Duchess Adventures for graciously supporting our polar plunge on Monday, March 4.

Meet Gerri Whiteford, Member, Team NWT

Monday 4th Mar
I’m pleased to introduce the intrepid women who are bold enough to rise to the challenge. After all, it's mind over body... Al least that's what I keep telling myself...

Gerri Whiteford, a member of Team NWT, is a Registered Nurse and Social Worker practicing in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Gerri is passionate about Northern Canada’s people, cultures, and environment. When not Polar Plunging, she enjoys an active role in community advocacy and spending time on the land.

Together, Team NWT hopes to raise more than $2,000 by taking the #RCGSPolarPlunge in Great Slave Lake to support the Royal Canadian Geographical Society's Canadian Geographic EXPLORE Podcast.

Please consider supporting Team NWT on our fundraising page below. Donations of $20 or more are tax charitable.


We'd like to thank Jake Olson of Arctic Duchess Adventures for graciously supporting our polar plunge on Monday, March 4.

Meet Geela Qaqqasiq, Member, Team NWT

Monday 4th Mar

I'm pleased to introduce the intrepid women who are bold enough to rise to this epic challenge. It's mind over body, after all... At least that's what I keep telling myself...

Geela Qaqqasiq, a member of Team NWT's Polar Plunge, has a profound connection to the land and culture of the Arctic Region. Growing up in a small community of Arctic Bay where education was limited, Geela ventured to Frobisher Bay (now called Iqaluit) to complete her high school education. After graduating, she embarked on a career with the Government of the Northwest Territories and spent the next 35 years serving the public in various capacities.

Geela has maintained a deep connection to her roots by living in outpost camps with her family and engaging in traditional camping and hunting practices that have shaped her appreciation of the Arctic environment.

Together, Team NWT hopes to raise more than $2,000 by taking the #RCGSPolarPlunge in Great Slave Lake to support the Royal Canadian Geographical Society's Canadian Geographic EXPLORE Podcast.

Please consider supporting Team NWT on our fundraising page below. Donations of $20 or more are tax charitable.


We'd like to thank Jake Olson of Arctic Duchess Adventures for graciously supporting our polar plunge on Monday, March 4.

#BeBoldGoCold

Sunday 3rd Mar

Woke up to -38°C with a windchill of -44°C… Yikes! Tomorrow my intrepid team of northern women will drive an ice road to our polar plunge site on Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories (NWT), Canada.

Please consider supporting us as we take the #RCGSPolarPunge to raise funds for the Royal Canadian Geographical Society’s Canadian Geographic EXPLORE Podcast. 

We need your support to meet (or surpass!) Team NWT's fundraising goal of $2,000.

Thank you, in advance, for your support of the #RCGSPolarPlunge! Donations of $20 (or more) to the RCGS are tax charitable.

The RCGS's goal is to raise $35,000! And there are 40 teams of explorers who will participate in the third annual RCGS Polar Plunge in rivers, lakes, and oceans across the country on March 4th. 

With your help we can continue to expand Canadians’ knowledge of our country’s diverse human and physical landscapes, better preparing them for an uncharted future.

Did you know that Great Slave Lake is the world's 10th largest lake and the deepest one in North America (614 metres)? Surrounded by subarctic boreal forest, it’s frozen from November to June. Ice roads are an important part of transportation infrastructure across Canada's North.

#BeBoldGoCold, Susan

I hate the cold…

Friday 1st Mar
On Monday, March 4th, I'll take the polar plunge into Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories, Canada. 

March 4th is my birthday. But that's not why I'm going to plunge into the deepest lake in North America...

The polar plunge is a pan-Canadian fundraiser in support of the The Royal Canadian Geographical Society's Canadian Geographic Explorer Podcast. 

I'm honoured to be a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS), an organization whose mandate is to connect Canadians (K-12 and the general public) with their geography.  

Given the generous donations received to date, I’ve doubled my initial fundraising goal from $750 to $1,500. 

Please consider joining me in reaching (and surpassing) my fundraising goal.

Thank you, in advance, for your support of the #RCGSPolarPlunge! Donations of $20 (or more) to the RCGS are tax charitable.

The RCGS's goal is to raise $35,000. And there are 40 teams of explorers who will participate in the third annual RCGS  Polar Plunge in rivers, lakes, and oceans across the country on March 4th. 

With your help we can continue to expand Canadians’ knowledge of our country’s diverse human and physical landscapes, better preparing them for an uncharted future.

About Me
A geoscientist, journalist, and polar explorer who investigates ocean change in the Arctic. In 2014, my organization Sea Women Expeditions received an expedition grant from the RCGS to mount an epic dive and snorkel expedition to Nunatsiavut and Western Greenland.

I hate the cold... But, if you're going to study ocean change at the poles, you've got to immerse yourself in the issue...

I'm organizing a team of intrepid women polar plungers in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. On March 4th, we'll drive the ice road on Great Slave Lake and jump into to a plunge pool located near the Arctic Duchess, a retired Canadian Coast Guard vessel.

Did you know that Great Slave Lake is the 10th largest lake in the world and the deepest lake in North America? The lake will remain frozen until June.

I'd like to thank Jake Olson of Arctic Duchess Adventures for graciously hosting the 2024 RCGS Polar Plunge.

Did I mention that I hate the cold?

#BeColdGoBold, Susan

Photo: Susan R. Eaton uses a diver propulsion vehicle to explore a small ice berg near Torngat Mountains National Park, Nunatsiavut, Canada. Photo by Jill Heinerth, Fellow of the RCGS, and copyright Sea Women Expeditions.

Thank you to my Sponsors

$261.25

Feisal Dedhar

$250

Jeremy Macdonald

$211

Alex Suh

$209

Rick Green

$159

Susan Ellis

WTG Susan!!!

$158.25

Tom Hilditch

All the best Susan!

$105.50

Dina O'meara

Knowing how much you dislike the cold, this donation is nothing compared to my admiration!

$105.50

David Mcguffin

Way to go Susan and the Yellowknife crew!

$104.50

Maliha Aqeel

Good luck! 👏🏻

$100

April Glaicar

Go COLD or go home! Way to go Susan and Team NWT polar plungers.

$100

Gary Cochrane

That looked so cold.

$100

Jennifer Torode

Donation on behalf of Marion and Ted Horton and Mary Jean Mann. Thank you all for your generosity!

$100

Tina Simons

$79.13

Anonymous

$79.13

Denis St-onge

God luck, hope youdo notb shrink out of existance

$52.75

Lee Deibert

$52.75

Kelly Eaton

good luck

$52.75

Martin Haefele

$52.75

Joanna Kafarowski

Wishing you the best of luck!

$52.75

Mary Jean Mann

Cheers for my niece Jennifer.

$52.75

Susan Eaton

Congratulations to Team NWT and thank you to everyone who has generously sponsored Team NWT. It takes a village.

$52.75

Marcos Zentilli

Amazing project

$52.75

Anonymous

$51

Gerri Whiteford

$50

Susan R. Eaton, Frcgs

$50

Jennifer Torode

I am in for the plunge!

$50

Tina Donkers

You are brave Susan. Hope it’s a quick in & out with lots of clothes & drinks to warm you up after the plunge.

$50

Tonya Makletzoff

Next time!

$50

Geela Qaqqasiq

$50

Al Snow

Happy Birthday plunge!

$26.38

Shael Gelfand

Have fun. Watch out for hungry polar bears!

$26.38

Eileen Gour

$26.38

Colleen Falkenberg

Happy Birthday Susan!!!! You are an inspiration!!!

$25

Ted Horton

Hope you're all warmed up from your plunge!

$21.50

Laura Swaringen

To my courageous friend I am happy to donate to your fundraiser.

$21.10

Maureen Eaton

Happy birthday Susan!

$21.10

Sheila Page

$21

John Mccluskey

$20

Heather "i Used To Live On A Houseboat" Hannah

Heather donating from afar and laughing. She would polar plunge daily in her backyard and has no idea what all the fuss is about. Hahaha