Polar Bear Swim

Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Polar Bear Swim

Take an invigorating dip in English Bay to celebrate 100 years of this annual New Year’s Day event.

Whether you decide to take the plunge or just want to cheer on the polar bears, it’s surely the best way to start off the year.

Jump into 2020 with a splash

Enjoy musical entertainment, food trucks, and more.

Wednesday, January 1, 2020, 12pm to 4pm
English Bay Beach

The actual Swim takes place at 2:30pm

History of the swim
Swim tips
- If you have a heart problem - just watch!
- Children must swim and stay with an adult.
- Please leave your dog at home.
- Do not drink - alcohol does not warm you up - it accelerates hypothermia.
- Do not stay in the water longer than 15 minutes. Body heat is lost 25 times faster in water than in air.
- Do not remove your clothing until swim time. The swim will be started by a flag and siren.
- Entrants in the 100 yard race - meet in the front line on the north side (Stanley Park side) of the enclosure.
- First 3 swimmers to touch the marker buoy by the lifeguard boat - give your names to the lifeguard.
- After you swim, pick up your commemorative button at the large polar bear or at the registration table.
- Warm up with coffee or hot chocolate.

Contact us

polarbearswim@vancouver.ca

Sponsorship and activation inquiries
Leeza Woo
leeza.woo@vancouver.ca

Did we beat a record?

Polar bear swim statistics

The Vancouver polar bear swim in English Bay in Vancouver is one of the oldest in the world. Find out the number of swimmers and water temperature each since 1976.