Perfect conditions for Polar Bear Swims in Lower Mainland

Across Canada people are jumping into the water for the annual Polar Bear Swim today but a beached boat forced the City of Port Moody to call off its annual New Year’s Day swim.

WATCH: Sights and sounds of Port Moody’s annual icy plunge

1:12 Port Moody residents take icy New Year’s Day plunge

The boat is on its side on the sands at Rocky Point Beach and while no one was on board at the time and no fuel was spilled, the annual Penguin Plunge was cancelled. Instead, the city hosted an unofficial swim at Old Orchard Park at 1 p.m.

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In Vancouver, the chilly tradition kicked off at 2:30 p.m. today with thousands storming English Bay. Started in 1920, Vancouver boasts the largest polar bear plunge in Canada.

WATCH: Vancouverites celebrate 96th annual English Bay swim

0:44 Vancouver’s 96th annual Polar Bear Swim

Last year roughly 2,500 people participated and this year a little more than 2,000 braved the 8C water temperatures.

PHOTO GALLERY: 2016 Vancouver Polar Bear Swim