Vancouver cancels Polar Bear Swim at English Bay
Posted December 16, 2020 10:43 am.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The annual Vancouver Polar Bear Swim has been cancelled and replaced with a virtual alternative.
It’s one of the many seasonal events that has fallen victim to COVID-19.
“While we are deeply disappointed that our great New Year’s tradition of jumping into the frigid waters of English Bay will not be taking place in 2021, we know this is the right decision to make for the health and safety of swimmers, spectators, and staff,” says Vancouver Park Board Chair Camil Dumont.
The #Vancouver Polar Bear Swim definitely won’t look like in January. @ParkBoard suggesting “on January 1, 2021, fill a tub, kiddie pool, anything with cold water (7°C) and take a cold dip.”@CityNewsVAN @NEWS1130 https://t.co/Q5CZVmMBrF
— Ashley Grace Burr (@AshleyBurr_) December 16, 2020
Instead of jumping into the chilling temperatures of English Bay, the Park Board is encouraging people to hop into their bathtub or a kiddie pool, filled with cold water, instead.
For those who have a thermometer and want to try to mimic the experience of jumping into English Bay, 7-degrees Celsius is the average water temperature of previous Polar Bear Swims.
The virtual plunge will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 1, 2021.