The Vancouver Polar Bear Swim Club is one of the largest and oldest Polar Bear Clubs in the world. Its initial swim was in 1920 when a small number of swimmers took the plunge into English Bay on New Year's Day. Led by their founder, Peter Pantages, the swim has grown from around 10 swimmers to the new record of 8,683 official entries set in 2024.
When Peter Pantages was not able to swim in the ocean he found other ways to make sure that he had a cool ‘dip’, everyday. He even had an agreement with the Pacific Steamship Company, when he was traveling on an ocean liner, for the ship to stop everyday so he could take a dip. When it was unsafe he would draw a salted chilled bath instead.
