Final answer:
Polar bears need breaks from long, energy-consuming swims and rely on ice and land to rest and conserve energy. The ice also helps to keep the waters at the right temperatures for the bears.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is implied that ice floats and land are important to swimming polar bears because the bears need breaks from long, energy-consuming swims. Swimming for long periods of time requires a lot of energy, and so polar bears rely on breaks on ice or land to rest and conserve energy. Additionally, swimming in icy waters can cause the bears' body temperature to drop rapidly, so the ice helps to keep the waters at the right temperatures for them.
Learn more about Polar bears and their swimming behavior