Thursday, January 01, 2009

Polar Bear Swim 2009 . . . .

On New Year's Day since 1920 a bunch of fools brave souls take it upon themselves to partake of the Vancouver Park Board's Polar Bear Swim in English Bay.

This being the first time I am in the city on the event, it was a "must see" this afternoon. The water temperature was probably somewhere between 6 and 8 degrees Celsius. (43 - 46 degrees Fahrenheit) Lots of hard nipples and shrinkage going on, no doubt.

Here's a few pics of the festivities:




Before you ask: Nope. Ain't never gonna happen, ya'll . . . .


4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much 4 the photos. Wasn't able 2 get down there this year. So thx again & welcome to our fabulous city. I came here on holiday in June 1979 & have been here now 4 almost 30 years! judy_b_cyllorn@yahoo.ca

RossK said...

Great photos Bob!

First time in a long time that Bigger E., who is impervious to cold, did not go in.....

.

Rev.Paperboy said...

Feh, whattabuncha West Coast pussies! In Ontario, we used to use chainsaws to cut through the ice in Picton harbour for the polar bear swim every year -- usually done to raise money for the United Way. I did it the year I was the editor of the paper there. And when I find the photos, I will scan and post them.

laura k said...

The Polar Bear Club is an annual story in NYC, and I was surprised to find it in Toronto too! I guess these "brave souls" (ahem) are all over the place.

Nice to see the usual Canadian one-upmanship about cold and snow alive and well, too.

Happy New Year to humans and canine from our pack to yours.