Tue, 01/02/2024 - 10:00am

KEVIN BURNHAM

The Medea and Bruce Harris family and friends get interviewed by Penguin Plunge co-organizer Larry Brown before Monday’s event. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Sofia Mansfield looks almost frozen. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Some of the quick dippers. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Trey Tibbetts heads for the shore. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

The Southport group settles in for a longer plunge. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Dr. Aqui Alamo likes the cold water. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

The registration table. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Hot drinks at the ready. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Bruce Harris dressed well for the occasion. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Ford Harris gets ready. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Larry Brown with the mascot. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Two of the youngest dippers. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Ali and Kelsy Hartley. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

The Medea and Bruce Harris family and friends get interviewed by Penguin Plunge co-organizer Larry Brown before Monday’s event. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Sofia Mansfield looks almost frozen. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Some of the quick dippers. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Trey Tibbetts heads for the shore. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

The Southport group settles in for a longer plunge. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Dr. Aqui Alamo likes the cold water. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

The registration table. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Hot drinks at the ready. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Bruce Harris dressed well for the occasion. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Ford Harris gets ready. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Larry Brown with the mascot. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Two of the youngest dippers. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Ali and Kelsy Hartley. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Approximately 50 people braved the cold temperatures (26F) and ocean waters (approximately 44F) at the annual Penguin Plunge at the Murray Hill Road boat launch in East Boothbay on Jan. 1.

“This has to be a new record,” said organizer Larry Brown. “I’ve never seen so many people.” Brown and aquatic director Dave Washburn co-directed this year’s Plunge.

The fundraiser for Boothbay Region YMCA’s second grade swimming program got started at 11 a.m. after a Boothbay Region TV interview by Brown with the grand marshals, Medea and Bruce Harris, with their family members and friends. Some of the stalwart plungers made a quick trip into the ocean and out, while others, like the dozen or so “Hendricks Little Dippers,” who regularly stroll into the ocean off Southport, stayed in the water for 10 minutes or so. By 11:15, everyone was out of the water. Several members of the Boothbay Fire Department and Boothbay Region Ambulance Service were on hand to help with any problems – which there were none.

Brown wished to thank all the sponsors, including Ben Rankin of Harbor Embroidery who made hats for the event.