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.