POLAR BEAR SWIM WITH GVAD
January 1, 2026 | English Bay, Vancouver
RSVP REQUIRED FOR FREE HOT CHOCOLATE:
Fill out form: https://forms.office.com/r/MLC7EexQAg
EVENT DETAILS:
Date: Wednesday, January 1, 2026
Meet Time: 1:00 PM
Group Swim: 2:30 PM
Location: English Bay, Vancouver
Cost: FREE
DEAF-ACCESSIBLE EVENT
Leonarda is fluent in ASL and has done polar swims many times. She’ll guide and support the group. Communication will be in ASL – no interpreter needed.
IMPORTANT HEALTH NOTE:
This event is not recommended for anyone with heart conditions or serious medical concerns. Please listen to your body and only do what feels safe for you.
WHAT TO BRING:
• Warm clothes & layers
• 1-2 towels
• Extra bathing suit (optional)
• Water shoes or thermo boots (optional)
• Warm jacket or parka
• Bath robe (optional)
• Mug for hot chocolate
WHY JOIN?
• Start the new year fresh
• Build courage & confidence
• Connect with Deaf community
• Try something new together
• Free hot chocolate after (RSVP required)
WHAT IS A POLAR SWIM?
A short dip in cold ocean water. You don’t need to swim far – just walk in, dip, and come out. You can swim, watch, cheer, or just connect with the community.
ALL WELCOME:
Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, and signing allies – come for the swim or come for the community!
Visual description:
A woman with voluminous, curly brown hair wearing a black long-sleeved top and a delicate gold necklace, standing against a white paneled wall background in well-lit indoor lighting.
Video transcript:
Hello! My name is Leonarda and I’m hearing. I have a Deaf cousin.
I’ve done many cold water swims before, so I’m excited to join the Polar Bear Swim – or just walk in and back out – on January 1st, 2026.
Here’s what to bring:
A bag. Any bag works to put your items in.
Towels – bring one or two towels.
Come wearing your bathing suit already. This is my bathing suit. I bring two bathing suits because it’s easier to change after you come out of the water. Don’t stay in your wet bathing suit – you’ll get cold fast!
For shoes, I suggest three options: Flipflops – but don’t wear them in the water, you may lose them. Wear them before. Go in barefoot, or wear water shoes like these.
Another option – fancy, more expensive, high-quality water shoes called thermo boots. Nice! These will keep you warm.
Bring a warm jacket! If you’re lucky to have a daughter or son who swims competitively, bring their parka. I use my daughter’s parka. Warm! It’s easy to change clothes with this parka.
If not, maybe you have a bath robe at home?
Bring layers – t-shirts, sweaters. It’s important to keep yourself warm.
Also, if you have a mug, bring hot chocolate to enjoy afterwards. You deserve it after your hard work!
I will join you in the water – it’ll be fun! See you soon!
