Thousands of Vancouverites braved the frigid waters of English Bay to ring in the new year at the city's first Polar Bear Swim in several years over the weekend.
As an annual installment in the city for over a century, the event was postponed for three years during the pandemic. While there was an online version of the swim in 2022, there was no shortage of eager cold-plunge enthusiasts on New Year's Day 2023.
People from across the Lower Mainland flocked to the popular 麻豆传媒映画beach, with many of them rocking colourful, wacky, and creative costumes as they ran into the ocean.
The event ran from noon to 4 p.m. and attendees raced into the cold waters at 2:30 p.m. Organizers gave participants commemorative buttons and people who registered ahead of the event received a participation certificate.
Thankfully, the 麻豆传媒映画weather held up for most of the day, allowing the attendees to stay dry before the race.
Have a look at some of the best moments from the 2023 Polar Bear Swim.
Jan. 1 is the official day of the Polar Bear Swim and this year’s new-year-day event marks the tradition’s 103rd year.
— Melissa ?? (@puffinvan)
For over 100 years, the Polar Bear swim has been a 麻豆传媒映画Tradition on New Year’s Day!
— StanleyParkVan.com (@StanleyParkVan)
Come out for a swim or just to cheer on the brave souls who do!
Details/Photos/History/Registration:
Check out the costumes people wear at the 麻豆传媒映画Polar Bear Swim on New Year’s Day!
— StanleyParkVan.com (@StanleyParkVan)
Details/Photos/Registration:
Polar Bear Swimに行ってきました??
— はる??co-op留学│in 麻豆传媒映画(@haruco_op)
バス降り损ねてノースバンクーバーまで行っちゃって、14:30の开会式间に合わなかった?笑
病み上がりなのに马鹿だなぁと思いながら水着で飞び込みました?
记念の罢シャツ可爱かったから买っちゃった
超寒かったけど楽しかった??
本日行われた毎年元旦恒例の寒中水泳大会「Polar Bear Swim 2023」。【写真】
— GoToVan（カナダの情報発信） (@gotovan)
????? ???????? ?????? ??? ??? 1976 ??????? ?????? ?????? ?? ? ???? ????? ????? ?? ????? ??????? ?
— Canada Live ???? ???? (@Canada_Live_net)
Polar bear swim ?????♀????
— SUSY:) ?? (@SusyMor2)
Tradición en 麻豆传媒映画Canada, al otro día del Año Nuevo, sumergirse en las heladas aguas del Mar y después, musica en vivo.?♀??????
My dear photog bro was in his canoe for over 4 hours to capture the 麻豆传媒映画Polar Bear Swim!!
— Tina Taphouse (@ttaphouse)
I messaged him to find me on the shore with my fur coat (not real!) and fur hat. He captured me and these guys running in! Awesome!! Thanks Marky Mark!!
Ok!! Here I am going into the water for the 麻豆传媒映画Polar Bear Swim and I bring you under the water with me! LOL
— Tina Taphouse (@ttaphouse)
You can see my cuz Donna going into the water too!!
Happy New Year!! ???
Polar Bear Swim 2023.
— Stephen A. Braverman (@stephenbraverm1)
?????
— SUSY:) ?? (@SusyMor2)
Polar bear swim ?♀? ????????
The New Year’s Day Polar Bear swim tradition lives on. Water was a nice warm 2 Celsius. Great way to start the year.
— Some Drunk Canadian (@SomeDrunkCdn)
