Record 319 take New Year’s ‘Lobster Dip’

OLD ORCHARD BEACH – Dozens of people cleared out the cobwebs with an icy plunge into the ocean during the New Year’s Day “Lobster Dip.”

More than 300 people, including several wearing lobster costumes, scurried into the surf after a countdown at noon.

In another Jan. 1 tradition, about 30 people took the plunge at Sand Beach in Acadia National Park.

“It’s zany. You have to be one french fry short of a Happy Meal to do something like this, but it’s for a good cause,” said David Smith, 59, of Kennebunk, who went in the water five times at Old Orchard Beach.

The event sponsored by the Portland Rugby Club was expected to surpass last year’s Lobster Dip, which raised $34,000 for Maine Special Olympics, said Mickey Boutilier, the agency’s president.

The Maine Special Olympics winter games will be begin next month at Sugarloaf USA in Carrabassett Valley, he said.

The Lobster Dip gets more popular each year.

On Wednesday, the event was moved from Portland’s East End Beach to Old Orchard Beach to accommodate a larger crowd. All told, 319 people hopped into the water, compared to 219 last year, Boutilier said.

Wednesday’s weather was great for a short swim: The air temperature was about 40 degrees, and the water temperature was about 44 degrees. “After 15 years, this is the best weather we’ve ever had,” Boutilier said.

Some, like Smith, relish their once-a-year dip. Smith actually jumped into the water twice at Kennebunk Beach to raise money for a shelter for battered women before driving to Old Orchard Beach to do it again.

At Old Orchard, Smith jumped in five times, diving into the waves, even after the revelers were told to get out of the water. Eventually, organizers had to order everyone to stay on the beach for their own safety.

Smith couldn’t help himself.

After all, he had been preparing for the big day. “I train for this by getting in the shower when it’s cold,” he said.