Some Canadians Swim on New Year's Day: The Polar Bear Swim
January 11th 2009 00:34
"I am Canadian" is part beer marketing slogan, part national manifesto. The "I am Polar Bear" label on this man plays on that.
In Vancouver, B.C., on New Year's Day, and elsewhere in Canada, there is a piece of folly called the Polar Bear Swim. It's exactly what it sounds like, a really cold swim in the nearest piece of open water.
The photographer's comment on this picture is political. Global warming is a danger to polar bears, so perhaps the Polar Bear Swim is a way of drawing attention to the issue.
Although this man is making a serious and important statement, there is generally more of a frivolous tone to the Polar Bear Swim. If you are visiting any coastal parts of Canada near New Year's, look around on January 1st and you too may witness this bizarre northern ritual.
Hats off to those who took the plunge! And thanks, ItzaFineDay, for the photo and your message.
Annual Vancouver, B.C. Polar Bear Swim - 2009, by ItzaFineDay on Flickr.com
In Vancouver, B.C., on New Year's Day, and elsewhere in Canada, there is a piece of folly called the Polar Bear Swim. It's exactly what it sounds like, a really cold swim in the nearest piece of open water.
The photographer's comment on this picture is political. Global warming is a danger to polar bears, so perhaps the Polar Bear Swim is a way of drawing attention to the issue.
Although this man is making a serious and important statement, there is generally more of a frivolous tone to the Polar Bear Swim. If you are visiting any coastal parts of Canada near New Year's, look around on January 1st and you too may witness this bizarre northern ritual.
Hats off to those who took the plunge! And thanks, ItzaFineDay, for the photo and your message.
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Comment by Travel in Canada
Those people are insane.