Polar Bear Swim tips to kick-start 2015

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The annual Polar Bear Swim has been a Vancouver tradition for 95 years. The event at English Bay which kick-starts the New Year is expected to draw thousands. Last year, there were about 2,000 brave people taking part in the cold plunge. It starts at 2:30 p.m. but swimmers are expected to be there early.

Similar plunges take place at Panorama Park in Deep Cove, Semiahmoo Bay in White Rock, and Burrard Inlet in Port Moody.

Dale Miller with the Lifesaving Society of BC has tips to be safe, including don’t stay too long in the water. “Some people will go in and out very quickly and can say they’ve done it and that’s great, but I think probably maximum 10 to 15 min in that cold water.”

“If I was doing it I’d probably have a dry suit on,” says Miller jokingly.

He realizes that may not be as fun for some, but for those who want to stay warm he suggests wearing more than just a swim suit. “If they have clothes on then typically what happens is that water gets trapped between the clothes and the skin and it actually warms up within that space. So, you’re a little better off with clothes but it’s still going to be a cold swim.”

Other reminders include staying sober because drinking alcohol speeds up hypothermia, and anyone with a heart condition should be extra careful.

Swim tips from the City of Vancouver:

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.

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