VANCOUVER - They came wearing Viking costumes, itty bitty bikinis and cave men attire before leaping into the icy waters of English Bay and ringing in the new year in Vancouver.
Almost 2,000 brave souls took the plunge Saturday for the 91st annual Polar Bear Swim, after about 200 people took a dip into Herring Cove near Halifax on the other side of the country.
Seven-year-old Rachel Sanbrook was a third-generation swimmer at Vancouver's yearly event, following in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother, who watched from the sidelines this time around.
The carnival atmosphere in the city's West End drew thousands of spectators to the beach on a sunny 2 C day.
Tyler Kelley of Los Angeles said he took part in the popular event so he could don a chicken costume and take the big plunge.
"I've never been so cold in my life," he said after emerging from the water.
Kelley said he felt a "burning feeling" and scrambled out with a buddy after less than a minute.
"The coldest part is your feet," he said, as swimmers in tiaras and a man in a Batman costume mugged for photos nearby.
Michael Vangstaard, who turned 40 two weeks ago, donned a Viking costume and headed to the beach with seven other Viking pals.
"You don't think too much about it, you just jump in," he said after participating in his fourth New Year's Day swim at English Bay.
Thirty-year-old Richard Kawaguchi, who wore a cave man costume, said he returned to the annual event after seven years.
"It was like, `Wow!"' he said after celebrating the new year until 5 a.m.
"I woke up. It was too much last night."
On the East Coast, about 200 jumpers turned out for the 17th annual polar bear dip in Herring Cove as the temperature hovered around 3 C.
Bernadette Richards of Waverley, N.S., was decidedly overdressed for the occasion, decked out in a red flowing dress, pink feather boa and black gloves.
"I'm a dip diva," said Richards, 44, as she waited in a long lineup. "Just come from the New Year's party and ready to jump."
The IT consultant shrieked and grinned as she emerged from the water, saying the conditions were "absolutely freezing."
"Well, my skirt went up around my neck," she said, giggling. "But it was good. It was really worth the wait. I had a lot of fun."
Similar polar bear swims were held in several cities across Canada.
Glenn Schultz, supervisor of beaches and outdoor pools for the Vancouver Park Board, said the event included a draw for people dressed in the best costumes.
He said the annual swim that began in 1920 has grown to become one of the largest in the world.
"I get emails all the time from people in Australia or some other country, saying `I'm coming to Vancouver and I would like to know about your polar bear swim."'
Swimmers are allowed to stay in the water for a maximum of 30 minutes to prevent hypothermia, Schultz said.
"We've had other swims when we didn't have a time limit and people were always trying to be the last person out and some would be there for over an hour and they were the ones who ended up in the hospital."
Dr. Brian O'Conner, medical health officer with the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, said anyone who's been celebrating the new year with a few too many drinks should not participate in the swim.
He said impaired judgment might prevent someone from getting out of the water quickly as their body temperature takes a sudden dip in the cold water.
Schultz said several lifeguards aboard boats and in wetsuits supervise the swim.
