Several B.C. polar bear swims cancelled or moved online over COVID-19

A venerable New Year's Day tradition is being put on hold in several B.C. communities for the second year in a row asCOVID-19 case counts continue to rise.

Vancouver's Polar Bear Swim, which sees swimmers brave the icy cold waters ofEnglish Bay, will not take place on Saturday.

In its place, organizers have asked participants to take a "digital dip" at 2 p.m. PT by dunking themselves into a bathtub or pool filled with cold water (at least 7 C) and sharing a photo or video online using the hashtag#VanPolarBearSwim.

Those who register on the City of Vancouver website will receive a commemorative certificate.

More than7,000 swimmers registered for the virtual diplast January after the century-old event moved online due to pandemic restrictions.

Still,several swimmers kept withtradition and jumpedinto the frigid ocean water at English Bay on New Year's Day.

The last official in-person polar bear swim at English Bay took place on Jan. 1, 2020, marking the 100th anniversary of the event. The traditionwas started in 1920 by Peter Pantages, who had recently immigrated from Greece.

'My first polar bear dip was when I was 3 months old'

5 years ago

Duration 1:53

Lisa Pantages shares the story of her family's connection to the New Year's Day polar bear swim in Vancouver.

Elsewhere, organizers of the The Polar Bear Plunge near the White Rock Piersaid the swim will not take place in person this year.

The Port Moody Penguin Plunge has also been cancelled, as has the Polar Bear Swim planned for Sidneyon Vancouver Island.

A polar bear swim in Colwood,southwest of Victoria, has now been cancelled after initially being scheduled to start on New Year's Day.

Event organizer Chris Kelsall said he came to the decision independent of sponsoror governmental pressure. It is the second year in a row the event has been cancelled.

"Virtual polar bear swims to wash away 2020 and 2021 and dive into the new year refreshed are still recommended at a beach of your choice and away from others," he said in a statement.

Kelsall said the event, which was to raise funds for Victoria Women's Transition House,has drawn 2,000 to 3,000 people to the lagoon in the past.

Much of the province has experienced Arctic outflowand extreme cold warnings in recent days. Below average temperatures are expected into the new year.