Polar Bear Swim

• Canadians take the polar bear plunge to ring in 2025: ‘A little bit crazy’

  Strong winds and almost freezing temperatures didn't deter thousands of brave souls from jumping into icy cold water for across Canada in a New Year's Day tradition.

  Canada

  Jan 1, 2025
  
• Thousands participate in Polar Bear Swims around B.C.

  The New Year's Polar Bear Plunge in White Rock, B.C., drew a crowd estimated at between 2,000 and 3,000 people. This year marked the 55th anniversary of the event.

  Lifestyle

  Jan 1, 2025
  
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• Thousands partake in Vancouver’s 2023 Polar Bear Swim in English Bay

  Thousands of cold water enjoyers gathered at English Bay for the 103rd Vancouver Polar Bear Swim. The event has been cancelled the last two years due to the pandemic.

  Canada

  Jan 2, 2023
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• Vancouver Polar Bear Swim to return for 2023 after multi-year pandemic hiatus

  The event was slated to return to its in-person format last year, but switched to a "digital dip" at the last minute amid surging COVID-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant.

  Canada

  Dec 14, 2022
• COVID-19: Two out of three Okanagan Lake polar bear swims sunk by Omicron

  'We want to prioritize the safety of our community and with rising rates of COVID-19 coming out of the holiday season we feel this is the right decision at this time.'

  Weather

  Dec 30, 2021
• COVID-19 freezes out numerous B.C. polar bear swims for 2nd year

  Events in Vancouver, White Rock, Saanich, Port Moody have been cancelled amid a surge in COVID-19 cases due to the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

  Health

  Dec 29, 2021
• Coronavirus: Kelowna, B.C.’s annual polar bear dip goes online for 2020

  "We turned it into an online event so that hopefully people still see the need for fundraising for our society."

  Dec 29, 2020
• Thousands attend 99th annual Vancouver Polar Bear Swim in English Bay

  Vancouver’s Polar Bear Swim is one of the oldest in the world.

  Jan 1, 2019
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• White Rock Polar Bear Swim cancelled due to storm damage

  Eager dippers looking to take a polar plunge on New Year's Day can still participate in Vancouver's Polar Bear Swim.

  Canada

  Dec 25, 2018
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• IN PHOTOS: Vancouver Polar Bear Swim 2018 draws large crowds in English Bay

  While a cold snap cancelled many polar bear swims across Canada, Vancouver's relatively mild weather drew a huge crowd to English Bay for a quick dip in icy waters.

  Canada

  Jan 1, 2018