90th annual Polar Bear Swim New Year's Day at English Bay Beach

December 22, 2009 (No. 68) - Kick start 2010 and wash the 2009 cobwebs off by taking a dip in English Bay on New Year's Day. The 90th annual Polar Bear Swim takes place at 2:30pm on January 1.

Brave (or foolish) swimmers have been starting the new year with a swim in the chilly water of English Bay since 1920 and each year thousands converge on the beach to take a dip or watch those that do. Whether a first time Polar Bear swimmer or someone who's carrying on a decades-long tradition, everyone is welcome.

Registration is free and begins at 12:30pm at the English Bay Bathhouse. Swimmers and spectators are encouraged to come early to get a good spot. Swimmers should have a warm blanket or change of clothes handy and children must be accompanied by an adult. Dog owners are asked to leave their pets at home. Donations of non-perishable items for the food bank will be accepted. A full list of safety tips and precautions as well as statistics from previous swims is available at vancouverparks.ca

Last year 1,588 swimmers braved the snowy beach, brisk 4 degree Celsius air and chilly 6 degree water.

First organized by Peter Pantages, the Polar Bear Swim is now overseen by the Vancouver Park Board in cooperation with the Polar Bear Swim Committee.

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For more information contact: Joyce Courtney, Communications Manager
at 604-257-8699 (tel) or 604-861-4375 (cell)

www.vancouverparks.ca

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation maintains 220 parks and 40 major facilities throughout the City of Vancouver. The Park Board's mission is to provide, preserve and advocate for parks and recreation services to benefit people, communities and the environment.