It'll be a party-like atmosphere at Departure Bay Beach on Dec. 26 for the annual Frank Ney Memorial Polar Bear Swim. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

Boxing Day tradition

After long three-year absence, legendary polar bear plunge returns to Nanaimo

Dec 19, 2023 | 5:27 AM

NANAIMO — Sorely missed by a dedicated, brave and arguably loose-screwed group of people, a beloved Boxing Day tradition is back this year in Nanaimo.

The 64^th annual Frank Ney Memorial Polar Bear Swim happens Tuesday, Dec. 26 with registration opening at 11 a.m. at the Kin Hut, followed by the icy plunge itself at 1 p.m. at Departure Bay Beach.

Organizer and head pirate Brad Ney will signal the rush into the frigid ocean with a gun blast.

‘I’m hoping we’re going to have a good turnout, we’re going to have a big bon fire down there, lots of music and laughs. The big bathtub will be there as well and lots of pirates and giveaways for the kids.”

Organized by Royal LePage Nanaimo Realty, hot coffee and snacks will be served at the event with donations being accepted for Haven Society in Nanaimo.

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Ney said a commemorative bathtub coin and certificate will be issued to registrants.

The local polar bear swim was launched informally in response to the eagerness of Ney’s mother to get 11 kids out of the house.

“When I was a kid my dad used to drag me out of bed and say ‘come on down, you’re coming for a swim, we’re going to have the polar bear swim.’ I was like ‘are you kidding me?’ Then we just got used to the idea and everybody was automatically ready for it the next year and the next year after.'”

Hawaiian music will be playing on the beach and prizes handed out for the wackiest costumes, Ney said.

He’s hopeful at least a few hundred swimmers show up, pointing to anticipated pent-up demand since the event is returning for the first time since 2019 due to pandemic related health closures.

“We really want to see a lot of young people out there because that’s basically who’s going to keep the show going,” Ney told NanaimoNewsNOW.

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Ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes