OLD ORCHARD BEACH — With sunny skies and warm weather, hundreds welcomed the new year by running into the Atlantic Ocean at the 24th annual Lobster Dip on Sunday.
With the air temperature at 43 degrees and water temperature at 45 degrees, participants lined up at the beach in back of The Brunswick hotel. They came in teams and as individuals. Some dressed up in costume, others in bathing suits. One thing they all had in common: They ran in and out as fast as they could.
Around noon, they all rushed into the water, and a few minutes later, it was over.
Prior to event, veteran dipper Rocco Frenzilli gave words of encouragement to newbie Molly Fitzpatrick, Miss Maine Teen USA.
Frenzilli, of Falmouth, was one of the event’s founders. He and other members of the Portland Rugby Club started the event at the East End Beach in Portland. Frenzilli, clad in his signature lobster suit, has participated in the dip every year, and has seen it grow from 13 participants to what it is today, with 322 dippers Sunday.
“This is awesome,” he said, and added that it’s great to have this event jump start the year for Special Olympics Maine.
The event raised about $82,000 for the nonprofit organization, according to spokeswoman Lisa Bird, Tuesday.
When asked what his strategy was, Frenzilli said, “Just go in, take care of business, and go out.” While some participants may just get their feet wet, he goes for “total immersion,” he said.
Fitzpatrick, of Yarmouth, said, this being her first time, she was a little nervous.
“I’m just going to go for it,” she said before the dip.
She said that she wanted to support Special Olympics Maine, an organization she is “passionate about,” and that she plans to volunteer for it in the future.
Mike Madison of Portland was doing the dip for the second year. He said he learned about the event from Frenzilli, who was his former coach.
“Anything for a good cause,” he said.
“It’s definitely a good time,” added Madison. “It’s definitely an adrenaline rush.”
Old Orchard Beach Town Councilor Michael Coleman has watched the event from the sidelines in previous years, and this year, he and his 9-year-old son, Peter, decided to take the plunge.
His strategy?
“Just run in, fall down ”¦ and hopefully come back out,” he said.
He and his son had heated towels waiting for them when they came back from the water.
Norma Boulet of Greene, wearing a Boston Red Sox shirt and a lobster hat, said this was her fourth year participating in the dip.
“It’s a great, fun thing to do on New Year’s Day,” she said.
She said she was introduced to the event by a friend on her cycling team, and she decided to go and support a good cause.
“I’m hooked, it’s just a good time,” she said.
A team from The Brunswick Restaurant, made up of friends, family and staff, lined up in Boston Bruins shirts, their backs spelling out “THE BRUNSWICK.”
“I love this event,” said Mike Lacasse, brother of the owner. He said it’s fun, and it raises money for a good cause.
“A little bit of pain, but it goes a long way,” he said.
After the events, participants were invited to a post-dip party at The Brunswick.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.
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