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Dare to Polar Bear on New Year's Day in Fort Langley?

Chilly but dry for second annual Polar Bear Swim that takes place at 9 a.m. on Brae Island.
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The second annual Polar Bear Swim takes place at 9 a.m. on New Year's Day at Fort Langley's Brae Island.

If you dare to dip, Langley has its own Polar Bear Swim on New Year's Day.

The icy plunge takes place at 9 a.m. sharp at Brae Island beach (north side) in Fort Langley.

There is even a 100 yard race and the first three swimmers to reach the dock on the opposite side of the beach are the Fraser Valley polar bear champions.

Temperatures for the morning are expected to hover just above freezing at two or three degrees Celsius.

Langleyites have been jumping in the mighty Fraser for years, but this is the second official Polar Bear Swim.

At English Bay in Vancouver, thousands come out every year, usually dressed in costume, to take part in the Polar Bear Swim. This year marks the 95th.

Those who take a dip are encouraged to warm up with coffee or hot chocolate at nearby Lelem Cafe, Wendell's, The Blacksmith Bakery or Red Velvet Cafe.

Website is at fraservalleypolarbear.com



Monique Tamminga

About the Author: Monique Tamminga

Monique brings 20 years of award-winning journalism experience to the role of editor at the Penticton Western News. Of those years, 17 were spent working as a senior reporter and acting editor with the Langley Advance Times.
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