The annual Polar Bear Swims in Vancouver and Kelowna have once again drawn a wave of brave participants, eager to take the icy plunge into the frigid Canadian waters. The 104th annual Polar Bear Swim at English Bay in Vancouver, British Columbia, saw thousands of swimmers, many in quirky costumes, braving the bone-chilling waters. Meanwhile, in Kelowna, approximately 400 people took part in the Polar Bear Dip at Tug Boat Beach as a fundraiser for a worthy cause.
The New Year’s Day tradition in Vancouver has been running for over a century, with last year’s event attracting around 6,000 people. Despite the cool winter breeze that made temperatures feel like 6 degrees Celsius, the enthusiasm of the participants was unwavering. Many of them were seen sporting eye-catching costumes, adding a festive charm to the exhilarating event.
In Vancouver, the Polar Bear Swim has a deep-rooted history, dating back to 1920 when it was started by Peter Pantages, an immigrant from Greece. His granddaughter Lisa shared that he initiated the tradition as a way to pay homage to his home island of Andros in Greece. Over the years, the event has become a beloved tradition that draws people from across Metro Vancouver to brave the wintry waters of English Bay.
In Kelowna, the Polar Bear Dip at Tug Boat Beach served as a frosty yet fun way for hundreds of individuals to come together and welcome 2024. The dip, which also served as a fundraiser for the Community Recreational Initiatives Society (CRIS) Adaptive Adventures program, saw solo swimmers, groups of friends, families, and teammates taking the plunge into the near-freezing lake. The event, which drew crowds of onlookers, was a testament to the community coming together to support a worthy cause.
The CRIS program works diligently to remove barriers to adventure for individuals with disabilities, providing access to the outdoors with the help of specialized equipment and staff. The Polar Bear Dip not only offered a thrilling start to the new year but also contributed to the commendable efforts of the CRIS program in facilitating outdoor experiences for people with disabilities.
The Polar Bear Swims in Vancouver and Kelowna are not only about braving the cold and embracing tradition but also about coming together as a community to support meaningful causes. As the new year begins, these annual events serve as a reminder of the resilience, camaraderie, and the spirit of giving that continue to thrive in Canadian communities.
