‘Limited or no parking’ around Vancouver’s annual Polar Bear Swim
Posted December 31, 2023 9:36 am.
Last Updated December 31, 2023 5:03 pm.
A chilly Vancouver tradition is forcing some parking restrictions around English Bay.
Until 11 p.m. on Monday, sections of Burnaby Street, Denman Street and Davie Street will have “limited or no parking” available, to accommodate Vancouver’s 104th annual Polar Bear Swim.
The event, which has been held since 1920, runs from noon until 4 p.m. Monday at English Bay Beach. The plunge takes place at 2:30 p.m.
The streets affected are Burnaby Street between Beach Avenue and Bidwell Street, Denman Street between Davie Street and Pendrell Street, and Davie Street between Denman Street and Bidwell Street.
While an invigorating dip will be the main event, it will be sandwiched by other offerings such as musical entertainment, food trucks and a 100-yard race into the water.
Last year, more than 6,000 swimmers registered for the swim, which took place in 6 C water.
