THE VANCOUVER POLAR BEAR SWIM

English Bay, Vancouver, British Columbia
by Aja Chantelle

The Vancouver Polar Bear Swim is one of the oldest and largest events of it's kind in the world. Local Vancouver restaurant owner Peter Pantages started the tradition of swimming on New Year’s Day in 1920, when he invited 10 of his friends to dive in the frigid waters of English Bay. The tradition continued to grow over the years, now recording crowds of over 2,000 people taking part in the annual dip.

I arrived at the beach shortly after noon on January first. The English Bay skies were grey and it was raining buckets. I registered at the bathhouse and viewed the pin that I would receive after completing the swim. I saw many swimmers who wore scarves that were covered with pins from past years. I even met a gentleman who had nearly 20 pins. I couldn’t believe that people did all this for a pin. Many of the swimmers I talked to saw this event as a “cleansing process” for their past year and a way to kick start the new year. I noticed that most of the costumed swimmers travelled in packs. I saw penguins, nuns, mermaids, and a surprising number of Vikings. I guess if you’re going to be doing something crazy, you might as well do it with style. As for me, I dressed up as a Flamingo!

By 2:30 PM, over 1600 people lined up along the beach. Both the air and water temperature registered a frosty 8 degrees Celsius. As soon as the starting horn blew, the hoards of excited people raced towards the water. Screams of anticipation were all around me! Under any other circumstance, diving into freezing water would be a stupid thing to do, but when you do it with thousands of other people, it’s actually super fun. I couldn’t help laughing hysterically as I ran into the ocean.

I ran into the ocean up until the water reached my knees. I was going to go further until the cold of the water started to send chills up my bones. I saw a big man dressed as Santa and for some reason, I ran towards him and gave him a big hug and got the heck out of there. My toes felt as if they were going to fall off but I had so much fun watching every one around me freak out as they dove in the freezing water. And just so you know, the Viking Rule of Polar Bear Swimming states that the swimmer’s hair must get wet! As a rookie swimmer, I guess I broke the rule…

FINAL THOUGHTS

As soon as I changed and dried myself off, I lined up to get the coveted Polar Bear Swim Pin. I pinned it on my jacket like a medal of honour. Now I am refreshed and ready to tackle a new year. Sometimes in life we take things too seriously, the Polar Bear Swim is definitely a great way to have some fun and act silly once in while. I had a great time taking part in this event and I’m sure I’ll be back for more next year.

FUN FACTS

• In the year 2000, a record 2128 registered swimmers took part in the Polar Bear Swim
• The record for water temperatures at English Bay for the Polar Bear Swim:
  • 3 degrees Celsius (coldest)
  • 9 degrees Celsius (warmest)

ADVENTURE TIPS

• People with heart problems should not take part in this event. Just watch!
• Do not drink - alcohol does not warm you up - it accelerates hypothermia
• Do not stay in the water longer than 15 minutes.
• Body heat is lost 25 times faster in water than in air
• Do not remove your clothing until swim time
• The swim will be started by a flag and siren
• Entrants in the 100 yard race - meet in the front line on the north side (Stanley Park side) of the enclosure
• First 3 swimmers to touch the marker buoy by the lifeguard boat - give your names to the lifeguard
• Commemorative buttons are picked up after you swim at the large polar bear or the registration table
• Warm up with coffee or hot chocolate
• Please leave your dog at home
• Children must swim and stay with an adult

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Vancouver Board of Parks & Recreation - Polar Bear Swim Info

+ Part 1: POLAR BEAR SWIM
+ Part 2: BIRD SANCTUARY
+ Part 3: MEADOW MAZE
+ Part 4: MUSEUM OF FLIGHT
+ Part 5: FLYING SCHOOL

+ Download PDF One-sheet
+ Polar Bear Swim info