Vancouver Polar Bear Swim 2011
byThe Vancouver Polar Bear Swim in English Bay is a tradition that is 91 years strong. It all began with 10 swimmers in 1920 thanks to the leadership of Peter Pantages and it grew to welcome over 2,000 participants in recent years.
Peter Pantages & Miss E Robinson in English Bay Dec 1927 – Archives Item #CVA 99-1787
The 2011 event will take place on New Year’s Day at 2:30pm and registration starts at 12:30pm in front of the English Bay Bathhouse.
The Vancouver Polar Bear Swim is a free event that encourages participants to dress up in costume, participate in the Peter Pantages 100 yard swim, or simply dunk their bodies into the Bay on the first morning of the year.
Donation of non-perishable food or cash will be accepted for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.
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No way! 2,000 people willing to brave the icy waters?
If I wasn’t working up on the hill on the 1st. We would be attending the Polar Bear swim this year! I even got fully submerged last time I went. 🙂
Heard it can also help cure hangovers 😉
i’ll be doing it in tofino, at north chestermans, woo!
We live 3 blocks away, we’ll be there.