Vancouver Polar Bear Swim returns to English Bay

A venerable New Year's Day tradition returned to Vancouver for the first time in three years.

Swimmers braved the icy cold waters ofEnglish Bay on Sunday to take part inthe Polar Bear Swim, an event that dates back more than a century.

The eventlast took place on Jan. 1, 2020, prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 7,000 people took part in the 2020 swim, which marked the 100th anniversary of the event.

The lasttwo editions of the swim were replaced by a "digital dip" with participantsdunking themselves into a bathtub or pool filled with cold water (at least 7 C) and sharing a photo or video online.

The tradition was started in 1920 by Peter Pantages, who had recently immigrated from Greece.

He used to swim at least once a day in honour of his home island of Andros in Greece,according to his granddaughter Lisa.

Lisa Pantages, who is thepresident of thePolar Bear Swim Club, says over the yearspeople have turned up at the event with flamboyant costumes and created their own family traditions.

"I think people just use it as a fun way to start the new year," she told CBC earlier in the week.

Vancouver Polar Bear Swim in photos

This year's event was the first since 2020 after the past two years were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

(Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

According to the City of Vancouver, approximately 10 swimmers participated in the first Polar Bear Swim in 1920.

(Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

The tradition was started in 1920 by Peter Pantages, who owned the Peter Pan Cafe on Granville Street anddied in 1971.

(Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

Peter Pantages's granddaughter Lisa says over the years, people have turned up at the event with costumes.

(Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

A person dressed as Elvis Presley waits with others to participate in the Vancouver Polar Bear Swim.

(Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

A person dressed as a clown and others walk back onto the beach after plunging into English Bay during the Polar Bear Swim.

(Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

Zhidong Yu, centre, 90, waits to participate in the Vancouver Polar Bear Swim.

(Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

(Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

People plunge into English Bay during the Vancouver Polar Bear Swim.

(Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)