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'Water was a nice warm 2 celsius': Vancouverites brave frigid waters wearing wild costumes

Check out a roundup of photos and videos from the first Polar Bear Swim in three years.

Thousands of Vancouverites braved the frigid waters of English Bay to ring in the new year at the city's first Polar Bear Swim in several years over the weekend.

As an annual installment in the city for over a century, the event was postponed for three years during the pandemic. While there was an online version of the swim in 2022, there was no shortage of eager cold-plunge enthusiasts on New Year's Day 2023.

People from across the Lower Mainland flocked to the popular Vancouver beach, with many of them rocking colourful, wacky, and creative costumes as they ran into the ocean. 

The event ran from noon to 4 p.m. and attendees raced into the cold waters at 2:30 p.m. Organizers gave participants commemorative buttons and people who registered ahead of the event received a participation certificate.

Thankfully, the Vancouver weather held up for most of the day, allowing the attendees to stay dry before the race.

Have a look at some of the best moments from the 2023 Polar Bear Swim. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Constance (@consoultant)