@cymm_connieymm / Twitter
A Vancouver tradition since 1920, the annual New Year's Day Polar Bear Swim took place on January 1, 2019.
Thousands of eager participants flocked to Vancouver's English Bay beach to take part in the festive frolic, and many of them came dressed in their most outrageous attire.
And, with an average temperature of three degrees, the chilly weather made for some decidedly cold plunges. Of course, it's all part of the experience, but the City of Vancouver also recommends that attendees don't stay in the water for more than 15 minutes.
Have a look at some of the wildest, wackiest and most jaw-dropping costumes that participants donned at this year's sunny event.
New Year's Day Polar Bear Swim
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One of my favourites from this year’s #polarbearswim: a Donald Trump impersonator addresses the media before taking the plunge in full costume. pic.twitter.com/DNvNbbWW9W
— Dexter McMillan (@dexmcmillan) January 1, 2019
Look at the crowd that's come by! #PolarBearSwim pic.twitter.com/4OV5LsHBpm
— JACK 96.9 Vancouver (@JACK969van) January 1, 2019
Emerging from the cold. #PolarBearSwim - #Done. Bring on 2019! pic.twitter.com/Hbj2IsRprI
— Angus Reid (@angusreid64) January 1, 2019
This kid probably has some tough questions about penguins after today’s #polarbearswim in Vancouver. pic.twitter.com/bdIH9fEriL
— Dexter McMillan (@dexmcmillan) January 1, 2019
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsIwmlvFAIe/
Happy New Year! #polarbearswim #vancouverbc pic.twitter.com/UHTU6hRDXz
— Connie Yang (@cymm_connieymm) January 2, 2019
