Yesterday evening we had an amazing Super Bowl, but the big event here yesterday morning was a an amazing “cold water dip” at Naskeag Point, as you see here. Winter dipping is a fairly recent Maine activity in which groups of people (sometimes an individual) immerse themselves in the sea or other body of water during the winter. They often do it to seek donations and/or publicity for a cause, while inviting others to it to have some cold weather fun.
Yesterday, the sponsoring group was Finding Our Voices (FOV) out of Camden, Maine, which describes itself as “a grassroots movement of survivors breaking the silence of domestic abuse in Maine.” The group reportedly raised more than $4,000. Although FOV’s mission calls up disturbing thoughts, the participants were full of smiles and laughter and the audience was full of happy adults and children enjoying a beautiful sunny day in a beautiful spot. The ambient temperature was 41° (F) when the dip started, and the water temperature was a reported 37°.
It was a fairly high tide when people started collecting for the event on the sand spit at Naskeag Point. A small fire was started to take the chill off and children and dogs enjoyed some exploration.
A little after 9:30 a.m., the dip line was formed and the resolute dippers waded into the water as the warmly dressed audience of all ages watched and gasped a bit. Many were wearing something colored yellow, FOV’s signature color.
Afterward, the dippers took photos, dried off and were served cake.
(Images taken in Brooklin, Maine, on February 11, 2024.)