WATCH: Experience a polar bear plunge

VANCOUVER  — It’s a chilly Canadian tradition that one South African family is taking seriously – the annual polar bear swim.

The Steenkamps moved to Vancouver four years ago, and though they may be used to warmer weather, today they demonstrated that they’re no wimps.

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“This is how I want to start 2015,” Mathao Steenkamp told Global News. He strapped a Go-Pro camera to his head and joined his parents and siblings at English Bay, where thousands of other brave Vancouverites were taking the plunge.

“We’re all in a big group. We all came with our robes. It’s just a lot more fun being in a group, being loud and crazy,” says Ya-Lea Steenkamp

Johan Steenkamp told Global News his children convinced him to come along with them. “I think we’re all here because we’re not all there,” he joked. “It’s great to experience Canada this way.”