Wicked cool welcome to New Year in White Rock
Plain, old swim shorts were far from the norm on White Rock beach Tuesday, as New Year’s Day revellers turned out in droves to partake in the 2013 Polar Bear Swim.
Some put sparkle into their chilly experience, with glittery wigs. Others brought a Hawaiian feel, dashing into the briskness of Semiahmoo Bay decked out in colourful grass skirts.
There were dippers wearing super-hero masks, many in festive hats and even an “orange polar bear,” a.k.a. George Pajari who made the rounds of four Lower Mainland dips – including Vancouver, Deep Cove and Port Moody – dressed head-to-toe in orange.
“It was great, unbelievable,” said Ed Alp, a member of the White Rock Lions Club that hosts the annual swim.
The exact number of swimmers hadn’t been tallied, but Alp is certain this year’s turnout was one of the best seen in the past decade.
“It was such a beautiful day,” he said.
The plunge was the club’s 43rd.
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