In Canada, "Polar Bear Swims '', "plunges '' or "dips '' are a New Year 's Day tradition in numerous communities across the country. Vancouver, BC 's annual Polar Bear Swim Club has been active since 1920 and typically has 1,000 to 2,000 registered participants, with a record 2,128 plunging into English Bay in 2000. Registration is not enforced and the actual number of swimmers may be significantly higher. Estimates of the number of observers are typically up to 10,000. Suburban White Rock, BC 's was founded in 1958, and other suburbs including North Vancouver, Surrey, Delta and Langley also hold swims.
where did the polar bear dip originate in canada
1920