10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, SPLASH … as hundreds of hardy islanders splash into Robert’s Bay in the beautiful harbour town of Sidney, British Columbia. Hello 2026.
This is not my first polar bear swim. I joined the masses of swimmers at Willow Beach in Victoria last year and had a gas. This year my friend Dale wanted to check out the Sidney swim, which is without a doubt the largest and most organized New Years dip on Vancouver Island. Son Rob joined in this year – my entourage is slowly growing.
The Sidney Polar Bear Swim
For the past 25 years the community of Sidney has been hosting an organized polar bear swim. Located at Glass Beach, in the heart of the community, it’s definitely one fun way to celebrate the new year.
The event is hosted by the Peninsula Celebrations Society. It’s completely free but they do sell t-shirts (cost by donation) to help raise funds for this and other community events. There are prizes, hot beverages and crowds of both swimmers and observers. Prizes for the youngest and oldest swimmers, best costume, longest swim (which I can attest was very, very long – we left before those hardy bastards got out of the sea) and some just for participating are handed out after the dip.
The History Of Polar Bear Dips
The first polar bear dip was held in English Bay in Vancouver in 1920. Initiated by Peter Pantages, the first swim was essentially just a small group of friends thinking a dip in English Bay on January 1 was a good idea. Since then it has grown into a crazy global phenomenon that includes costumes, prizes, fundraising and literally thousands of people celebrating the fresh start of the new year this way. I, for one am completely hooked on it.
Cold Water Swimming
It’s not in the least unusual here on Vancouver Island to see people swimming in the ocean in the dead of winter. Admittedly, the dead of winter here doesn’t mean the same thing as it does in the rest of Canada but it is still toque weather. Some would see those people and think “that’s crazy”, but others wonder what it takes to partake. I am, of course, in that latter group.
Turns out it doesn’t take anything special. No one is wearing wet suits, although I wear a pair of insulated swim gloves to protect my fingers from the cold. People aren’t jumping in screaming with the shock of cold and jumping right out, polar bear dips excluded. Lots of screaming yesterday. Nope, we just walk calmly into the frigid water and swim. You’ll see groups treading water and chatting, others swimming the length of the beach along Dallas Road. I try and get in once a week, sometimes alone, sometimes with a neighbour, and sometimes with a little group informally known as the Esquimalt Numbskulls.
The Benefits
Cold water swimming has been linked to improved mental and physical health. I can attest to the mental health aspect of the activity. My zen mode goes up exponentially after just 5 minutes in the ocean. The physical benefits include increased circulation, immune system boosts, reduced inflammation and increased metabolism.
https://www.farewellharbour.com/news-posts/cold-water-swimming.html
There are, of course some risks. Although I love to swim alone it’s not recommended. Does Tucker sitting on my swim bag count as supervision? You should be in general good health when you start.
I have learned the hard way that you should know your own body and limit your exposure time accordingly. Once I get in and acclimatize to the frigid Pacific Ocean I don’t really feel the cold seeping into my core. Once I stayed in too long and continued my dog walk afterward. I felt a little shaky and could not warm up, but friends I met on the trail didn’t hesitate to tell me I was a little grey, and they didn’t mean my hair. A warm bath fixed me up and now I time my swims to last between 5 and 10 minutes. Some people can stay in much longer. Know thyself.
The old year has been effectively washed away by the sea, and I’m ready for whatever 2026 delivers. Maybe next year some of you might join me? Happy New Year!
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