Pledges hit $18,000 for ocean dip

Even my mother thought I’d lost my marbles when I told her last Monday that I’d been for a dip in the ocean on Jan. 24 in Eastport. As I tried to explain it was for a good cause, her exclamations on the other end of the telephone line got my father out of his easy chair. (“Russell! It’s Jeff. He’s been for a swim. In the ocean!”) Seconds later he was on the extension. His incredulous inquiries were more of an anatomical nature, but I won’t go into details here.

At work on Monday, officemates initially appeared to be genuinely concerned about my health after hearing of my frigid dip. Then (quickly) they remembered it was me they were worried about and concern turned to knowing head bobbing and eye rolling. After all, one less nut in the newsroom would mean more square inches for the rest of them. I swear I could hear them muttering under their breath to “try again.”

I took the ribbing and the plunge (along with 120 other folks who had congregated on the frigid shores of Passamaquoddy Bay) to help raise money for the Ronald McDonald House in Bangor. Actually, my challenge for a $10,000 donation went unanswered, but given the economic climate, I wasn’t surprised. Maybe next year.

What was heartwarming, though, was the fantastic support shown by others. Pledges topped $18,000! Not bad, considering organizers at Washington County Technical College thought going in that $10,000 would have been a really generous showing. After all, it was only the third annual dip. Two years ago 33 dippers raised $1,500. Last year 72 dippers raised $6,000. And temperatures for those two years, I’m told, were balmy compared to this year’s 14-degree air temperature and 35-degree water temperature and winds whipping down the bay at 25 mph.

As I killed time waiting for my virginal encounter with winter water, I had a chance to talk with others who had taken the plunge in years past. While sounds of the Beach Boys’ “Surfin’ USA” blared in the background, Debbie Provencher of Crawford and Janice Rice of Pembroke told me they got “addicted right from the start.” Both, former WCTC students, nodded when Provencher said, “Oh, you have to be a little crazy” to be taking the plunge. Perhaps Rice explained the motivation best: “Some people go through life and never try anything out of the ordinary. That’s not a way to live, though.”

How was it the first time? I asked. “You picked a baaad year,” Rice giggled. “The first year it was really warm (32 degrees), when you think about today,” she said. … “Going in it feels warm because that water is a lot warmer than the air. So at first you feel like aaahhh! And then it’s like AAAHHH!!! Coming out is bad!” Provencher warned.

I’d already decided I wasn’t going to get my head under water, and the two agreed it wasn’t necessary. Provencher said the first year she fell and got totally immersed and had to be plucked out by the Passamaquoddy governor.

The anticipation was killing me.

When they tell you it’s time to go in, Provencher said, “you won’t even think, I promise you.” Right, Janice, not a bit. “It’s better not to think!” she said. Sure, I thought, how’s that work? You’re nuts, I said. “You’re nuts, too!” they laughed.

But the main motivator, they said, was the cause. “The Ronald McDonald House helps people throughout the state [by providing a place for families of hospitalized children to stay]. You just can’t beat the cause!” Rice said

A little farther down the beach, WCTC Dean Dave Sousa and Tess Ftorek, WCTC’s student support councilor and student senate advisor, were holding court, both resplendent in grass skirts. Sousa completed his beach party ensemble with a long robe, a coconut shell bra, and a pink flamingo hat that made his tall, lanky frame seem even taller. He, too, was a first-timer.

Someone had just asked him if he were apprehensive about the cold water. Keeping a straight face, he drawled: “I’ve been in this water in the summer. I can’t imagine it’s much different now!” Indeed. Trying to ease into coastal waters around these parts is one of the more painful exercises I can imagine. My feet hurt just thinking about it. I began to have second thoughts. I could disappear into this crowd of 1,000 and no one would be the wiser. My warm car was about 100 yards away.

Then came the 10-minute warning. I made my way into a construction office trailer set up as the changing area, and shared the space with several men and women. I put my trunks on and everything else on over my trunks and made my way back to the shore, pausing to stand briefly by one of the bonfires to absorb a few more BTUs for fortification.

Seconds flew by. There were announcements from the fish pier. I doffed my warm clothes. Icy gusts stabbed at my exposed flesh. Last-minute pledges were announced. I thought that with these new numbers surely organizers would surpass their $10,000 goal. Then Passamaquoddy Lt. Gov. Mark Altvater welcomed us, and before I could finish getting mentally prepared for my frigid dunking, there I was, chin-deep in salt water and heading purposefully back to shore. I think I was able to exhale a few minutes later as I pushed my way back through the throngs to find my clothes. Everybody was cheering as wave after wave of dippers hit the water.

And as quickly as it began, it was over. The wet among us scattered to whatever shelter we could find. I managed to dry off my torso and don all the layers I had. However, in less than 10 minutes my exposed legs looked like a couple of red hot dogs. I abandoned any hope of getting back into the trailer to finish changing and waddled to my car, cranked up the heat and got out of wet trunks and booties. Dry pants and socks never felt so good.

Five minutes later I found myself thinking, “That wasn’t so bad, maybe I’ll do it again … NOT!” But five days later I find I’ve changed my mind. Sign me up for next year!

And you know what? I’m not the only one with those thoughts. Ftorek sent me an e-mail the other day to say the final pledge tally is not yet available, but she’s confident it will surpass $18,000. “I am amazed, thrilled and warmed by the generosity of people far and near for this worthwhile cause. I just couldn’t believe how many people turned out for the dip and then to the dance” later that evening at La Sardina Loca in Eastport.

“Everywhere I go people are talking about it. Those that either dipped or cheered can’t wait for next year. And, those that missed it plan on attending the fourth annual [dip]. ‘Mardi Gras’ [next year’s theme] here we come!”

And here’s the real gem of what went on last Friday. Ftorek wrote: “This activity sure says a lot about the giving nature of people. Especially Washington County folk who struggle to make ends meet yet they turn out their pockets as well as their presence to support those in need. It sure made me a proud and happy camper!”

I couldn’t have said it better myself, Tess. Two thumbs up to WCTC volunteers and to all of you who turned out.

The Maine Outdoor Adventure Club will meet Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Cadillac Mountain Sports in Bangor. Tim Caverly, former supervisor of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, will provide a slide presentation and overview of the ideal trip for club members. Details of the Feb. 8 outdoor adventure will be available at the meeting. Call Kathryn McGloin at 866-7419 for more information. MOAC welcomes new members, so don’t be shy. Come down and see what they’re all about.

Jeff Strout can be reached at 990-8202 or by e-mail at jstrout@bangordailynews.net.