28th Annual Polar Bear Swim Results

Delta's 28th Annual Polar Bear Swim attracted approximately 2750 people Tuesday under clear skies and temperatures of four degrees to greet the New Year.

Against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains, serenaded by the bagpipes of Jamie Thomson, 291 braved the calm but chilly (four degrees) waters of Boundary Bay while the crowds cheered on from shore. The fastest swimmer to ring the bell 25 meters from shore was Morgan Bezembinder of Delta followed by Andrew Groves and Anthony Cotter. Most participants were Deltans, but others came from Richmond, Vancouver, Surrey and Finland. The Wallis family of Bahrain traveled the furthest to participate, with children Isabella and Blaedyn making the swim. As has been the case for many years, the oldest swimmer was Leo Ciurcovich, who is now 90 years old; he was accompanied by his son and granddaughter.

Delta's Polar Bear Swim is held annually at Centennial Beach located at Boundary Bay Regional Park. 2008 marked the 28th year that the brave (and foolish) have greeted the New Year with a splash in Boundary Bay waters.