Vancouver 2013 Polar Bear Swim

[entheosfog]

This was the first time I've checked out the annual New Year's Day Polar Bear Swim and no, I did not jump in the ocean. I'm not insane
The Vancouver swim is one of the oldest (93rd year) and largest in the world. The weather was about 6 degrees Celsius today and the water temp was 7.
Enjoy!

A couple vintage pics to start, courtesy of the Vancouver Archives:
http://searcharchives.vancouver.ca/

1930:


1957:


1960:


This was before the swam began and I suspect alcohol played a factor here:


Spectators from up high:




You could spot potential swimmers a mile away:


The area was very busy:








































My foot got wet. I was not impressed:


Bewildered:








































































There's also a competetive swim that takes place, this was the female winner:








*lens envy*


Parting shot: this is how Vancouverites play outdoor hockey in the winter. On rollerblades!

[Danny]

Curious tradition and, by the way, everyday more and more extended along the world.

I´ve liked your pics. Thanks for showing.

I wouldn´t be able to swim in the sea by Winter.

Happy New Year and greetings from Madrid, Spain!

[Coldrsx]

Not bad, but call me when you are doing that in -20 like in Mother Russia.

[entheosfog]

Thanks for the comments

[MICHgoblue55]

I like the kids playing hockey at the end haha

[Jeff]

was in town from dec. 30th to jan. 1st for work, thought about going to check this out but was maybe feeling a little like that guy in your first picture that morning...

[Okayyou]

not for me... cool shots though.

[MSP]

you cant call it a polar bear plunge when you have palm trees growing outside. I count 12 in this picture, pretty cool for canada.

[Architype]

Great pics. The Vancouver swim is famous in Canada, but I think it is done in other parts of Canada to a lesser, and colder degree, as well.

[Jeff]

i participated in a polar bear swim once in churchill, manitoba. for their swim, it was on july 1st as there was still ice on hudson bay! made it out to my chest in maybe 2 degree water to get a flag for a relay.. won't forget that day!

[entheosfog]

Thanks for the comments
The Vancouver swim is one of the biggest but usually the swims that other cities have relate it to a charity event, as opposed to a New Year's Day event.
And although it's still relatively warm in Vancouver, that water is pretty darn chilly, still. I wouldn't know, though, as I'm not going to do it anytime soon. I just take the photos

[SpongeG]

they have a polar bear swim in port moody and one in sooke (victoria) i think it is

I used to go down and watch in years past but the last few i haven't bothered, nice to see the pics

[mSeattle]

That little kid's opinion is similar to mine.
Looks like a great time was had by everyone else.

Wow to those lenses.

[entheosfog]

Thanks SpongeG and mSeattle