Polar Bear Swim 2026 Vancouver !

The Polar Bear Swim, one of our city’s most beloved traditions.
The story begins in 1920, when a Greek immigrant named Peter Pantages and a few adventurous friends decided to start the new year with a daring dip in English Bay. They called themselves the Polar Bear Club, and what began as a small challenge among friends quickly grew into a community ritual.
In those early years, swimmers would change in the basement of the Sylvia Hotel, dash into the frigid waters, and then warm up at the Peter Pan Café with hot drinks and prizes. It was quirky, it was bold, and it captured the spirit of Vancouver.
Fast forward more than a century: the Polar Bear Swim now attracts thousands of participants every January 1st. Some come in colorful costumes, others race in the 100‑yard “Peter Pantages Memorial Swim,” but all share the thrill of braving water that hovers around 6°C. In recent years, crowds have swelled to over 10,000 spectators and 2,500 registered swimmers, making it one of the largest events of its kind in the world.
So welcome to our tradition way to celebrate New Year 2026 together!