Those willing to brave the frosty waters of Departure Bay will be left to their own devices this year after the annual Frank Ney swim was cancelled. (Royal LePage Nanaimo Realty)

By Alex Rawnsley

frozen

Annual Frank Ney Polar Bear Swim beached for another year

Dec 22, 2022 | 11:25 AM

NANAIMO — The annual Frank Ney Memorial Polar Bear Swim will remain landlocked for another holiday season.

After missing the last two years thanks to the pandemic, the event was due to return on Boxing Day and see hundreds splash into the waters of Departure Bay beach as they’ve done for 60 years.

Organizer Brad Ney told NanaimoNewsNOW with a myriad of colds, flu and other illnesses floating around, an event involving people huddling in and around Kin Hut probably wasn’t in people’s best interests.

“We just felt it was probably not a good idea to get a gathering. We didn’t know how many people would turn out because there’s so many people sick.”

Ney’s determined to revive the event next year since this will be the third year in a row it’s being kept off the beach.

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“We intend to keep it going, but just the stumbling block of health and safety, we decided we’d better pass on it this year for the event.”

An average of 250 to 300 people typically take part, however crowds have grown upwards of 500 some years.

Ney said the thrill of rushing into near-freezing water is unlike anything else. He does it every year to “try and weather the weather”.

“It’s probably a stimulant of some sort. When you come out of the water, you feel like you can attack the cold better than you did before you jumped into the ocean.”

Swimmers eager to brave the frigid waters can still do so themselves.

Those looking for some peer encouragement can head to Parksville Community Beach on New Year’s Day for a Regional District sponsored event.

Heath Mahoney, superintendent of aquatic services with the RDN, said roughly 80 people take part in any given year of the event’s 31-year history, but more are expected this time.

“It’s a great way to ring in the new year and to start fresh so to speak, literally and figuratively. It’s just a great amount of fun for the community and the family.”

Participants are asked to register, beginning at 11:30 a.m., so they can receive a special pin after the plunge.

Both Arrowsmith Search and Rescue and Parksville Fire Department will be on hand to provide land and water safety.

Swimmers are also encouraged to dress in costume with a host of draw prizes on offer.

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