"Polar Bears Are You Ready?"
the annual call to Polar Bear Club action!
Dim and misty Clifton Beach in June
We had heard about the Polar Bear Club via a few different friends over the last few years. I vowed to be there in 2007 – but didn’t make it. I finally got there on last Saturday, June 21 2008 and my brother and I had the most memorable swim of our lives so far! So what is the Polar Bear Club anyway?
It’s a group of madcap individuals who meet each year for a swim at Clifton 4th Beach, Cape Town. Big deal, you say. Beaches are for swimming aren’t they? W-ell yes.
But the designated day is -- mid winter! Or to be exact, the closest Saturday to the winter solstice. Clifton being one of the coldest places to swim on the entire Cape Peninsula, and winter being what it is round the Cape of Storms, it can be a chilly affair! Nevertheless come rain or shine, at 9.59am the Great White Polar Bear yells, “Polar Bears Are You Ready?”
The cold-mottled, swim-suit-clad crew roars back “Yes!” Then charges headlong down the beach into the surf...
Polar Bear Club 'Rules'
- Swimsuits only, no wetsuits?!
- Minimum swim time: 30 seconds
- Maximum swim time: 30 minutes to avoid accidental hypothermia!
It’s all totally informal, like most things in Cape Town.Everyone is welcome, including many spectators. Families abound – I think as the original Polar Bears have aged matured (!) and life circumstances have changed the event has changed shape accordingly. Bring lots of warm layers to change into afterwards, hot food and drinks to warm you from the inside (bring your flask and sarmies or buy hot choccie and hot dogs from the Scouts on the beach) and prepare to enjoy.
Local builders stare in disbelief... !
A Bit of History
The club evolved from a group of friends who used to meet at someone’s home for a braai and a swim on Spring Day each year. The ‘Great White Polar Bear’ I mentioned above (in everyday life a real chap who goes by the name of Steven Morkel) decided a greater challenge was in order and motivated a move to a chillier date and venue.
'Great White Polar Bear Himself'
That was 1997 and I believe there were less than 10 participants. The event has grown and grown and now there must be more than 100 swimmers, I’d say.The Swim
Being new to the Polar Bear thing, when I heard Steve say “maximum swim time, 30 minutes,” I nearly laughed out loud! I honestly thought he had to be kidding. As it turned out, it was so great in the water that I stayed in pretty much the full half hour. The view from Clifton is way better from the water than it is from the beach. I wished I had a waterproof camera! It was a really misty morning but as we dived into the waves, the sun broke through and Table Mountain was revealed amidst most unusual cloud formations. Of course that had all changed by the time I got back to the beach so no gorgeous photo for your delight I am afraid. I hope you enjoy the others on this page though!
Clifton beach Capetown on a sunnier day...
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