A fresh, but cold start to the New Year

Kelcy Dolan
Posted 1/6/14

I started out my new year with something a lot of people would characterize as insane.

Of my own free will, believe it or not, I jumped into Greenwich Bay on Jan. 1. The sun may have been out and …

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A fresh, but cold start to the New Year

Posted

I started out my new year with something a lot of people would characterize as insane.

Of my own free will, believe it or not, I jumped into Greenwich Bay on Jan. 1. The sun may have been out and visually it may have looked a lovely 60 degrees, but the temperature was barely half that when the wind began to blow and I, along with more than a 100 other people, ran into the water.

A little less than a week before I had spoken with Jo-Ann Schofield, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership (RIMP), about the 4th annual Frozen Clam, a plunge that would benefit RIMP.

I had done the plunge a few times before in Jamestown, but by sheer luck, and quite possibly, though I admit to nothing, a thorough weather watching before I ever gave a solid yes, it had been nearly 45 or above every time.

At the end of our conversation, Schofield asked if I was participating. Christmas had been nearly 60 degrees; I looked out the window and it was bright and shiny; it was a good cause.

I said, “Yes.”

Well, as the week progressed, time slowly getting closer to New Year’s Day, the sun was coming out less and less, the temperature was dropping and you may say I was beginning to question my decision making capabilities.

People began to question me if I was really going to do it, although I was skeptical myself, I assured them I would. With each reassurance I felt both better and worse about my decision. The whole situation seemed worse, but I was more and more positive about taking the dip.

Of course, I wasn’t going to do it alone either. Once I knew I was diving into the cold water, I asked friends and family to join me. Eventually, I got a few friends to agree, saying it was on their bucket list, and my grandmother, who has done it numerous times before, to join me.

The day of, donned in sweatpants, boots, gloves, a sweatshirt and North Face jacket, I got to Goddard Park to see the beach packed with people. Some brave souls were already in nothing but a bathing suit and a wool hat. Some had looks of worry, others of excitement, but those who were only there to watch, you could see this underlying joy that when the time came, they would be able to stay dry.

I met up with Jo-Ann and she was so excited, that even though it was cold, the sun was still out.

She said, “It is so nice to have so many people out here to start off the new year, National Mentoring Month, and just to be here supporting us.”

In the end, the Frozen Clam raised more than $7,500 to help match more kids with mentors throughout the state, a $1,500 increase from last year.

Ryan McGowan, owner of Laid Back Fitness, a business that partners with the mentoring program for the plunge every year, said, “It is good to challenge yourself every once in a while. Jumping in today doesn’t test your physical toughness, but your mental toughness by breaking the fear of the cold water. I’m excited for the turnout, all these mentally tough people. It is a little discomfort initially, but it’s for a really good cause.”

McGowan, who founded the Frozen Clam, jumps in the ocean at least once a month every month to keep his mental toughness at its highest. I can only say the same for warmer months, typically only June to August.

As the wind blew against my cheek, the only exposed skin I had before the plunge, and the trees cast longer shadows, I was beginning to get jealous of the Kids in the Canyon group, a Central Falls Mentorship program that had won the heated tent by having the most team members sign up. The organization raised more than $500 alone.

Don Blaise, a teacher at Central Falls and coordinator of Kids in the Canyon, said, “We train kids throughout the year and then take them out to the Grand Canyon. It gives the kids something to look forward to, something to work towards and that does them a world of good.”

Jose Teixeira, who has been a part of the program for eight years, said, “It’s cold! This means everything to us. The program helps us get excited about something, to have something great to do. The first time I went I was so scared but so excited. This is the first time I’m going in the water when it is so cold though. I’m really nervous. I didn’t expect it to be so cold, but it’s a good cause.”

I had to agree, it was cold. I had already lost feeling in my fingers and I hadn’t even been in the water yet.

Noon rolled around and those who had opted to keep clothes on began to undress, baring their skin for the jump and for the New Year.

After the national anthem, when the alarm sounded, we all charged to the water with screams of excitement then screams of shock. I was at the back of the pack with my friends and family and encountered people running back drenched, trying to shake the water and the cold away.

Halfway into the water my group dived in to get the full experience and I immediately lost all feeling in my feet. Walking back up toward the beach I luckily couldn’t feel anything below my knees anyway.

Although extremely cold, the experience is exhilarating and refreshing and I would urge everyone to do it at least once. On the first of the year it is the perfect way to wash off the old year and start the next knowing you helped benefit an amazing program.

The plunge itself lasted no more than 10 minutes, but for 100 people the New Year had started off fresh, if not just a little cold.

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