VANCOUVER With COVID-19 still spreading in B.C. communities, one chilly Vancouver tradition will look very different at the start of next year. On Jan. 1, the Vancouver Polar Bear Swim will still take place, but it ll happen in homes across the city, rather than at English Bay. Participants are encouraged to dip into a kiddie pool or bathtub this year and, if they re especially brave, lower the temperature to 7 C, which is the average temperature of the ocean during previous swims. 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, said Camil Dumont, chair of the Vancouver Park Board, in a news release.
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Add the annual Vancouver Polar Bear Swim to the list of events cancelled due to the pandemic.
Citing health and safety concerns, the City of Vancouver’s park board says the annual Jan. 1 group dip into the frigid waters of English Bay will not happen this year, but the city is gamely trying to replicate the chilly tradition with an online event.
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Swimmers are being asked to take a “digital dip” by recording and sharing a video of at-home Polar Bear Swims in tubs or kiddie pools filled with water chilled to 7 C, the average water temperature of previous swims in English Bay.