The Polar Bear Swim has been a tradition in Vancouver since 1920! It takes place every 1st of January. January 1, 2011 marks the 91st annual Vancouver Polar Bear Swim at English Bay, Vancouver, Canada. At the start of each year, thousands of people come to English Bay to take a dip in the cold frigid waters of the Bay. Though it is bit on the wild side, year after year the record of people attending is broken.
Vancouver Polar Bear Swim
Vancouver Polar Bear Swim, Canada | (c) Photo By thenownewspaper
The event hosted by the Vancouver Polar Bear Swim Club is one of the largest and the oldest Polar Bear Clubs in the world. It began with only 10 members, who bravely swam for 300 yards around the former English Bay pier. Today it consists of more than 2,000 Polar Bear swimmers from all walks of life. If you think it is too cold, at the age of 92, Miss. Granston has been a member for 77 years, and is known as the “Queen of The Polar Bears“.
The upcoming Vancouver Polar Bear Swim takes place at 2:30pm on January 1, 2011. This will give you enough time to take some rest from New Year Eve partying. Many participants come in costumes so if you want to dress up, I say go for it! Before you head out, make sure you register yourself for the swim. Registration takes in front of the English Bay Bathhouse from 12:20pm to 2:30pm. Donations of non-perishable food items or cash will be accepted by the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.
So what are you waiting for? Get your swim suit ready and costumes on, and take the Vancouver Polar Bear Swim to start of the year 2011!
My name is Salika Jay, and I'd like to welcome you to my travel blog! Ever since I was a kid, I loved traveling the world. I started this blog to share my journeys around the world and everything travel.