Polar Bear Swim 2012 (92nd Annual)

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
January 1, 2012

• History
• Safety Tips
• Statistics

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 new record of 2,246 official entries set in 2011.

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.

Donation of non-perishable food or cash accepted by the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.

For further information about the Vancouver Polar Bear Swim Club, contact: Glenn Schultz of the Vancouver Aquatic Centre.

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2012 Event Photo Gallery

Photos courtesy Cliff Lemire  -  Click on thumbnail to view full-size image

January 1st At English Bay with Winter still to come	Some of the Vancouver Police Team	The 99.3 TheFox Team Chris, Sean, and Amanda	It’s going to be another “Good Hair” day
I’m register, I’ve got the shirt, and I’m ready for the Swim	The “Year of the Dragon” starts with a refreshing Swim	The Polar Bear Swim is just a big sand box!	The Marine Squad is ready to assist
I carry the “Polar Bear Swim” on my back	Subdue a “mad” Vicking with a kiss!	Fred and Whilma are here too	Trophy contenders for the Peter Pantages Memorial Trophy!
I made them do it!	Not quite as warm as Hawaii!	Frolicking in the waters at English Bay	Victorious Vickings!
Being active keeps you healthy!	Santa and his “deers” holidaying at the Polar Bear Swim	Caution “Shark Infested Waters”!	We escaped for the Swim
Santa has been good to us this year	Yeah! We did it!	Back Again!	A playful shark and friends
“Little Incredible“ proud & pleased with her Polar Bear Button	“Polar Bear Bridal Party” awaiting the Groom!	“Can you move a little more to the right”	“Jaws” grounded it’s safe to swim now!
Park Chair Constance Barnes, Polar Bear Pres. Lisa Pantages, Swim Race Winner Trevor Olson, 1st female Jaime Roberts, Park Bd. Comm. Sarah Blyth, and 2nd Place winner Alamy Liu	Park Vice Chair Aaron Jasper, presenting 3rd place winner William Leung with his trophy	The Polar Bear Swim is completed and Organizer Glenn is on his way!
Bird's eye view courtesy of M. Pepin

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2012 Event Statistics

	2011	2012
Air Temperature	2°C / 36 °F	8°C / 46 °F
Water Temperature	6°C / 44°F	8°C / 46°F
Weather	Sunny	Cloud / Sun
No. of Registered Swimmers	2,246 (record)	2,220
Winner of the Peter Pantages Memorial Trophy	1st Ian Young 1st female Zuzana Benkova 2nd Loughlan Rycroft 3rd Brett Newberry	1st Trevor Olson 1st female Jaime Roberts 2nd Alamy Liu 3rd William Leung
President Polar Bear Swim Club	Lisa Pantages	Lisa Pantages
Past President	Basil Pantages	Basil Pantages
Announcer	Eric Chapman	Chris Gauthier Sean Byrne
Promotion and Commemorative Buttons	Province Newspaper, Vancouver Park Board, Pantages family, 99.3 the FOX	Province Newspaper, Vancouver Park Board, Pantages family, 99.3 the FOX
P.A. and Music	99.3 the FOX	99.3 the FOX
Safety and First Aid	Vancouver Park Board	Vancouver Park Board
Event Information	Glenn Schultz Vancouver Aquatic Centre 1050 Beach Avenue Vancouver, BC, V6E 1T7 Phone: 604-665-3418 Email: glenn.schultz@vancouver.ca

2012 Polar Bear Swim Prize Winners

Many thanks to the following companies who donated prizes to the 2012 swim :

99.3 The Fox Aquabus Blue Ruby Jewellers Boat House Restaurant At Kits Beach Coca-Cola

Province Newspaper Stepho’s Souvlaki Greek Taverna Van Dusen Gardens Vancouver Park Board

The following names were drawn for prizes from the signed entry forms received at English Bay Beach:

Amanda Hanson          Vancouver Ashley Kobayashi        Richmond Cherri Chalifour Langley Chan Seung Lee Coquitlam Christopher Knapp North Vancouver Cormac Oakley Chilliwack Dave Burke Abbotsford Diana Gibson Mission

Emma Darling Vancouver Frank Skani Vancouver Hollis Johnson Langley Jane Voellm Vancouver Justin Gasmo Vancouver Jared Ager Burnaby Jordan Blathy Surrey Jevani Torres   Vancouver

Kristy Rainey Vancouver Motto Essakow Vancouver Hoah Brunn Vancouver Diane Roy Surrey Scott Jorna      Burnaby Steven Popelusak Vancouver Timo Kambereit Vancouver

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