Brad Ney's signature whistle and flare gun signalling the start of the 2018 Frank Ney Memorial Polar Bear Swim. (Royal LePage Nanaimo Realty)

By Ian Holmes

Chilly dip

Big crowds expected for Nanaimo’s 60th annual Boxing Day Polar Bear Swim

Dec 26, 2019 | 12:33 AM

NANAIMO — Boxing Day at Departure Bay Beach sees hundreds of people charge the frigid ocean in the name of the Harbour City’s most famous mayor.

The 60^th annual Frank Ney Memorial Polar Bear Swim organized by Royal LePage Nanaimo Realty takes place Thursday, Dec. 26 at the Kin Hut at Departure Bay Beach.

Registration for the free event begins at 11:30 a.m., while swimmers hit the ocean at 1 p.m.

Event coordinator Brad Ney said his father would be proud of how the event grew from a once small gathering into a strong community festival like atmosphere.

“There’s more people in this town now and they’re coming out in droves here. 250 to 300 swimmers last year and we expect at least that this year.”

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Hundreds more onlookers elect to remain clothed, dry and warm above the retaining wall as swimmers dash in and out of the ocean.

Ney said Nanaimo’s annual Polar Bear Swim started out informally as a family swim initiated by his mother desperate to clear out the house.

“We had 11 kids in the house, she said ‘Frank, take these kids down to that beach and throw them in the water, cool them off.’ She came up with the idea and he went with it. Ever since that 60-years ago it gelled into the Polar Bear Swim.”

Ney said his father did a lot of convincing in the early years to encourage the broader public to participate.

Prizes will be handed out to the swimmers with the best costumes.

Hot chocolate, coffee and snacks will be sold by donation to support Haven Society in Naniamo.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes