Eight people, including two young children, braved the frigid waters of Linekin Bay to participate in the 16th annual Penguin Plunge, a fundraiser for the Boothbay Region YMCA’s second grade swim program, on Monday, Jan. 1.

With the air temperature at 3 degrees, David Butler donned a survival suit and got into the water before the “plungers.” Another David, Dave McFarland of the Boothbay Fire Department, was still chopping ice from the boat ramp so the participants could get into the water safely.

Before the actual “dip,” organizer Larry Brown called people who were participating by putting a hand or foot in the water to the water’s edge. About 10 people, including Brown, William Prince, Carol Ostermann, Irene Hutchinson and Daniel Parrott, and five others performed that task, said Brown.

Then the “brave eight” lined up for a group photo before heading into the water at approximately 11 a.m. The eight people were YMCA Executive Director Andy Hamblett, Boothbay Harbor Police Chief Bob Hasch, BHPD Sergeant Patrick Higgins, Alina Blakesley, youngsters Byron and Hannah Hills, Jay Hasch and one unidentified person.

With Higgins and father-and-son Hasch donning wigs, the dip lasted about 15 to 20 seconds, with Chief Hasch taking the first dive. Family members and friends were quick to wrap towels and blankets around the participants as they came ashore. The YMCA bus was on site to allow the participants to get warm after the plunge.

“Refreshing,” was Chief Hasch’s only comment when he was asked how it felt, as he and others made their way to the bus.

Boothbay Fire Department and Boothbay Region Ambulance members were also on hand to assist with the event. About 30 people were on hand to cheer on the plungers.

“I would like to thank all the plungers, who came out on such a brutally cold day to plunge and support the YMCA second grade swim program,” said Brown.