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History of Metro Vancouver: Polar Bear Swim, 1920

City of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­Archives, CVA 371-836. 1920 Polar Bear Swim These groups of brave swimmers are shivering at the water’s edge at English Bay on the first day of 1939, preparing to participate in the annual Polar Bear Swim.
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City of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­Archives, CVA 371-836.City of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­Archives, CVA 371-836.

1920

Polar Bear Swim

These groups of brave swimmers are shivering at the water’s edge at English Bay on the first day of 1939, preparing to participate in the annual Polar Bear Swim. The origins of the swim go back to 1920 when Peter Pantages, owner of the Peter Pan Cafe on Granville Street, rounded up a few hardy souls to follow him into the water. It has been a New Year’s Day tradition ever since.

View the entire Metro Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­History 365 Series .