The Vancouver Polar Bear Swim Club is one of the largest and oldest
Polar Bear Clubs in the world.
Its initial swim was in 1920 when a small number of hardy swimmers
took the plunge into English Bay on New Year's Day. Led by their
founder, Peter Pantages, the swim has grown from around 10 swimmers in
that year to the record number of 2,128 official entries in 2000.
Today, the swim takes place at 2:30pm on the first day of each new year.
Costumes and the Peter Pantages Memorial 100 yard swim race are the
highlights of this event.
To be a club member you must register before the swim -- it's free.
Registration takes place in front of the English Bay Bathhouse from
12:30pm - 2:30pm each New Year's Day. You may also register by clipping
out the coupon in The Province and presenting it at the registration
desk the day of the swim. Prizes are drawn from all registrations.
For further information about the Vancouver Polar Bear Swim Club,
contact: Glenn Schultz
of the Vancouver Aquatic Centre.
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