One of White Rock鈥檚 chilliest free traditions is returning to the waterfront Jan. 1 to ring in the new year. The Polar Bear Plunge 鈥� presented by Rotary International, with support from Royal Canadian Marine Se arch and Rescue Unit 5 (Crescent Beach) and the City of White Rock 鈥� is set for noon on the first day of 2024.

Registration gets underway at 10:30 a.m. east of the pier, near the city鈥檚 namesake.

The event typically draws hundreds of dippers of all ages, as well as countless more onlookers to take in the largely-brief displays of icy-cool bravery.

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A record number of swimmers 鈥� 466 registered, plus 鈥渨ay more鈥� unregistered, according to officials 鈥� made the plunge in 2023. That event followed a two-year hiatus of the in-person affair due to COVID-19 concerns, during which time, those who still wanted to mark the occasion were encouraged to do virtual plunges.

Among highlights planned for the 2024 dip are prizes for best costume.