Well, summer has finally arrived in Vancouver. Definition: It’s time to throw on a swimsuit, grab a towel and grease up with baby oil… then allow all the grease to soak into your winter layers of tights and sweaters before heading off to work. It’s amazing how realistic the scent of Hawaiian Tropics 35 can seem, even if it is just the reaction of your lotion saturated thermal stockings to the space heater hidden below your desk. This summer, I think more rain cheques have been handed out by Wal-Mart employees for the oversold and under stocked rainbow toe socks than for the disappointingly disregarded cooling fans and boogie boards.
But nevertheless, anyone who has survived a Vancouver winter knows that it is very hard to leave the city in summer. Despite the occasional drizzle or even weeks of overcast skies, in the moments when the sun peaks over Mount Baker and shoots beams of light onto the Lion’s Gate Bridge, Vancouver is highlighted as one of the most beautiful places on Earth. And it is just enough to keep us hanging around.
Yes, we are occasionally deceived by the appearance of sunny days. I would like to thank the shirtless tanned muscle men of Kitsilano, (capable of conveying a rising temperature of 30 degrees on a realistic 5), because even their panting 2 pound dogs and sun-kissed streakless tans succeed in drawing us to the beach. And the beach in summer is where it’s at. Despite the fact that few swim in the crisp waters of English Bay and Spanish Banks, the sandy shores provide entertainment for all. Bird watchers, babe watchers, metal detector professionals and even reality T.V. fans, occasionally lucky enough to view the quadding VPD drain beers and remove unwanted individuals.
And the water is never truly TOO cold. Those of us who prepare ahead of time, participating in the January 1st Polar Bear swim with all the other crazy white pasty bodies (the ‘lucky’ ones gracing the cover of the Vancouver My-Body-Needs Sun) have all the more chance of enjoying summer laps to the Kitsilano dock. Just remember, with limited days of sun left, we cannot waste time waiting for the perfect hot sunny days, we must compromise. You may not need the sunscreen, but the tights can be forgotten too. Show Vancouver that there are some locals on the beach. Stop playing Waldo and give the Vancouver summer a real go. And hey, maybe taking the plunge is just what you need to appreciate how warm it really is on the beach.
