The Vancouver Park Board is planning to celebrate this centennial anniversary with the largest event ever. With the addition of both family and wheelchair accessible areas, all ages can participate. Festivities will run from noon to 4 pm with live musical entertainment, roving performers, and food trucks.

VANCOUVER - One of the largest and oldest Polar Bear Swims in the world is set to celebrate its 100th anniversary on Wednesday, January 1 at English Bay.

The Vancouver Park Board is planning to celebrate this centennial anniversary with the largest event ever. With the addition of both family and wheelchair accessible areas, all ages can participate. Festivities will run from noon to 4 pm with live musical entertainment, roving performers, and food trucks.

Swimmers take the plunge at 2:30 pm. Anyone planning to participate is encouraged to register at vancouver.ca/polarbearswim<file:///\\ds.city.vancouver.bc.ca\shares\Park%20Board\Beach%20Admin\Corporate%20Services\Communications\News%20releases\2019\vancouver.ca\polarbearswim> in order to receive a commemorative certificate.

In 1920, Peter Pantages and nine other brave swimmers started their New Year in style by plunging into the chilly waters of English Bay. The group became known as the Vancouver Polar Bear Club. Since then, the swim has grown into a much loved highlight of the holiday season.

Peter's granddaughter, Lisa Pantages, will be doing her 58th Polar Bear Swim this January 1st along with at least three generations of her family.

Polar Bear veteran George Pajari has participated in about a dozen Polar Bear Swims over the years, including four in a single day in 2013 at different locations in the Lower Mainland.

The Polar Bear Swim typically draws crowds of up to 9,000 with between 2,000 and 4,000 participants.

To ensure everyone stays safe, about 17 Board lifeguards will be on site in rowboats, on paddleboards, watching the crowd from elevated chairs, and at the first aid station.