The air temperature and water temperature were about the same — 38 F — on Tuesday, March 17. But that didn't stop 20 hardy children and adults from participating in the annual Leprechaun Leap at Hendricks Head Beach on Southport.

"It's a good day for a swim, you can't beat it," said Bob Horne of Southport, a man in his eighties who participates in these local cold-water dips on a regular basis.

The event is a fundraiser for the local Special Olympics program, where participants gather pledge money. The event is run by Susan and Tom Witt of Boothbay Harbor.

"It's my first time," said Special Olympian Matt Farnham, who walked around the beach in his swim trunks and a towel on his shoulders waiting for the event to begin.

As Susan Witt was finishing gathering the names of the participants, Tom Witt ushered the "leapers" to the starting line, a line drawn in the sand about 30 yards from the ocean.

With a blast of a starting horn, the "leapers" headed toward the water, some running and others just strolling. The trip into the salty water was over in a matter of seconds for most, while a couple stalwarts like Bob Horne spent a few minutes in the water.

"I went up to about my knees," said first-timer Farnham. "It wasn't bad." Some waded in up to their hips while others got their whole body wet.

An ambulance service attendant was on hand in case of any medical problems but no one needed any help. Family and friends were quick to wrap towels and blankets around the bodies of those who participated.

"We've done this in all kinds of weather," said Tom Witt. "Glad this wasn't done this past February, with all the storms we had then."

Channel 7's Jonne Trees also recorded the event with cameras on the ground and in the air through the use of the station's remote controlled quad-copter and GoPro camera.