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‘It’s a can’t miss event:’ 58th annual Polar Bear Swim in Nanaimo goes Boxing Day

Dec 22, 2017 | 2:08 PM

NANAIMO — Some people spend Boxing Day relaxing at home or braving insane crowds at the mall, while others take part in the annual Frank Ney Memorial Polar Bear Swim in Nanaimo.

The 58th annual tradition organized by Royal LePage Nanaimo Realty happens Tuesday at the Kin Hut at Departure Bay Beach. Brad Ney, chair of the free event, told NanaimoNewsNOW registration starts at 11:30 a.m., while the icy plunge itself goes at 1 p.m.

“I’ll be blowing the whistle and shooting the flare gun off and spewing out all of the old sayings my dad used to have,” Ney said.

Ney expected about 200 people to be swimming and many more onlookers. He said coffee, hot chocolate and a food truck will be on-site and a donation jar set up to raise funds for the Haven Society in Nanaimo.