Annual swim has been going for 50 years

Swimmers prepare to enter the waters at Departure Bay Beach in Nanaimo.

Royal LePage Nanaimo Realty held its 50th Boxing Day Swim at Departure Bay Beach in Nanaimo, B.C. The company’s founder, Frank Ney started the popular event 50 years ago, and current company president Barry Clark says he is proud to continue the tradition.  About 150 swimmers entered the chilly waters with 500 spectators cheering on the sidelines. MLA Ron Cantelon judged the wacky costumes.

Clark says the company is fortunate to have dedicated sales reps Fred Maguire and Buddy Mcrae, who organized the event. “They garnered a helpful band of pirates that arranged the harvesting of bananas, bathtub dollars, hot dog vendors, entertainment, St John Ambulance and ice to cool the waters of Departure Bay.”