Vancouver strips off for annual Polar Bear Swim (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

The frigid temperatures did nothing to deter brave Vancouverites yesterday as hundreds of people took the plunge for the Polar Bear Swim at English Bay.

The annual event to mark the onset of the New Year attracted more than 1500 foolhardy swimmers, some of which dressed up in costume for the occasion.

Take a look below at some of our favourite photos and videos from the event.

So, this just happened: 1500+ polar bears braved our chilly #EnglishBay waters & plunged into 2017. Congrats! #VanPolarBearSwim #Hello2017 pic.twitter.com/wfrRxlDH5e

— Vancouver Park Board (@ParkBoard) January 1, 2017

Kicked off the year with a Polar Bear Dip @ English Bay. #PolarBearDip #englishbay #vancouver #burlesque #superhero pic.twitter.com/hiaU2cJQRI

— Gingersnap Pixie (@GingersnapPixie) January 4, 2016

#polarbearswim #vancouver #polarbearswim2017 pic.twitter.com/uWtaYFNjVm

— Graeme Duffy (@Graeme_Duffy) January 1, 2017

A photo posted by Deb Rousseau (@debsiedo) on Jan 2, 2017 at 12:20am PST

A photo posted by morinonaka00 (@morinonaka00) on Jan 1, 2017 at 9:07pm PST

A photo posted by Patrick Conaty (@patrick_conaty) on Jan 1, 2017 at 6:52pm PST

A photo posted by Shelagh Donnelly (@exceptional_ea) on Jan 1, 2017 at 5:43pm PST

A photo posted by Benjamin Milling (@benmilling) on Jan 1, 2017 at 4:13pm PST

A photo posted by Michael Downie (@downielive) on Jan 1, 2017 at 3:28pm PST

A video posted by Mana (@daydream56567) on Jan 2, 2017 at 3:05am PST

A photo posted by Mila 👀 (@3101mila) on Jan 2, 2017 at 12:30am PST

A photo posted by Andrew Chin Photography (@andrewchinphotography) on Jan 1, 2017 at 11:19pm PST

A video posted by Lucy Belle_Gahyun (@clarity_4am) on Jan 1, 2017 at 11:19pm PST