polar bear swim

Polar Bear Swim 2008 at Vancouver English Bay with Dennis and Wendy. The feeling was fresh and very very cold. It felt like a good way to start off the new year, to cleanse the self and mark a new beginning!

I can feel it already. 2008 will be a good year!

Its a wonderful experience and a perfect way to start the new year. I was hesitating of doing the polar bear swim and plus i have a fever, but then i still went for it and it was a excellent experience. I actually felt better and more energetic afterwards. I hope anyone who haven’t done it should definitely try it next year

It was very nice this year…. no rain and a lot more people… lots of fun… then nice french meal of vol a vent with chicken and mushroom, green salad, hot tea to warm me up of course, then I split a St. Honore dessert and an apertif of Pineau de Charent… magnifique as usual…

Last year it was blowing about 35 kph with sideways rain. Most of the people were dressed in multiple layers but about 1/4 of us were near naked – some in costumes and some in groups. They were playing Beach Boys music – “Everybody’s Goin Surfing” and more. It was a blast. Then afterwards we went to a French bistro for onion soup and a croque monsieur and pomme frites. It was a great 2 hour lunch.

I plan to do this again in 2 days. I was thinking about taking niacin (B3 by itself – not in a B Complex). This really makes you feel warm when it is cold. I have tried it before and it is amazing. Still thinking about it…

See you at the beach! (yes the Pacific Ocean in Canada…)

fun!

but it was winter and the air temperature was in the 40’s. The water was COLD!!!!!!!!!! I must say, though, that once in and acclimated, it was warmer than the air temp. So it was hard to get out. Very invigorating, indeed!!!! You feel VERY ALIVE when you jump in ice cold water!!

sadly not this year. I slept in instead…

I definitely think this was worth doing. I’m glad I added it to my list of 43 Things, or else I never would have taken the time!

Today, I headed to Lake Erie for a Polar Bear Swim for charity.
The air temperature? A balmy 35° F.

I have read some things that mention the fact that the water temperature is often warmer than the air temperature. I assure you that today, this was not the case. The water was literally breathtaking. After completely submerging myself, I wanted to give out a large roar, but it took a good 10 seconds to catch my breath. Even getting out of the water wasn’t really that cold an experience—except for the water in my shoes beginning to freeze!

Here’s my blog entry

I did it on my own one winters day! I did not find the water cold at all. I defenatly plan on doing it again some time!

I missed any New Year’s Day swims, but about an hour from me, there’s a polar bear swim scheduled for Sunday, and I’m planning on making it. The best thing is that this one’s for charity, so I’ll be donating some money to a food shelter, too!