Polar Bear Swim

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Polar Bear Swim

The Original New Year's Day Icy Dive

1050 Beach Avenue
Vancouver, BC V6E 1T7

This insane ritual of diving into the icy waters of English Bay on New Year's Day began in 1928. Peter Pantages, a Greek restaurateur, urged his swimming club members to act like polar bears and dive into the winter ocean (average temperature: 5ºC or 40ºF). Today, many people do it to raise money for charity. Whatever the reason, the event draws more than 2,000 costumed revellers, with thousands more watching at the sidelines. Vancouver's is the oldest and one of the largest in the world.

Review © 2009, Wcities

Polar Bear Swim Photo: Mark Klotz	Polar Bear Swim Photo: Stewart Marshall	Polar Bear Swim Photo: Mark Klotz	Polar Bear Swim Photo: janet galore	Polar Bear Swim Photo: Tonya Bruno	Polar Bear Swim Photo: Michele	Polar Bear Swim Photo: Lorraine James	Polar Bear Swim Photo: Meghna Haldar
Polar Bear Swim Photo: Camillo - CC	Polar Bear Swim Photo: Jenny Freeman	Polar Bear Swim Photo: margaret Kowalski	Polar Bear Swim Photo: (Mr Nikon)	Polar Bear Swim Photo: Margarita Banting