BY MATT HERSH
In eight years, Salem police Lt. Fred Rheault hasn’t once missed his annual chance to dive into the frigid Atlantic Ocean in February.
“The water is paralyzing, and running across the sand is like running across glass because your feet are so cold,” he said.
Rheault, along with six more Salem police officers and dozens of residents from Bedford, Pembroke, Goffstown and Hooksett, were among 775 participants in the eighth annual Penguin Plunge at Hampton Beach on Sunday, Feb. 4.
Held every year as a fundraiser for Special Olympics of New Hampshire, the event draws droves of fearless “plungers” from across the state, who line up in “waves” and run into the ocean.
By noon, the temperature was 12 degrees with a wind-chill factor of minus 6. Comparatively, the water was a warm 39 degrees.
This year, the event raised $505,000, beating the organization’s goal of $480,000. The money will help purchase equipment and support the athletes of the Special Olympics.
Plungers can choose specific teams to support if they wish. Rheault and his crew chose to keep the funds they raised – a total of about $8,000 – in Salem.
Over the past eight years, the Salem Police Department has raised more than $40,000 for the organization, Rheault said.
While Rheault and his team wore T-shirts with their team name, “The Frozen Fuzz,” on the back, others who participated in a costume contest could be seen wearing everything from chicken suits to blue body paint.
Bill Jones of Bedford, who is a longtime veteran of the event, wore a red baseball helmet covered in small plungers and is known as “Captain Plunger.”
The Salem team was included in the first wave of plungers. For some officers, this was their first plunge, and they stood out as they shivered, clutching their hands together.
Veterans like Rheault and Sgt. Paul Marchand looked at home as they stood poised with their shirts off and smiles on their faces.
A countdown began over the loudspeaker but Rheault couldn’t help himself. By the time the number six echoed over the crowd, he was already knee-deep in the 40-degree water.
“That’s our trademark,” he said later. “We’re always in first.”
Marchand and Rheault have been participating in the event since the first year, where a total of 72 plungers took a dip. Over the years, Rheault has been adamant about recruiting new members.
“Fred basically starts with jokes and moves to threats until you give in,” said Police Chief Paul Donovan.
Officer Anthony Oliveri was coaxed into plunging, even though he had the flu. After diving in and changing back into warm clothes, he said he felt all right but was still recovering from the cold.
“I’m trying to extend (the flu) to pneumonia,” he joked. “As soon as I went in, I went completely numb.”
Though they were cold and dripping wet, most of the plungers said they’d come back next year.
“It’s crazy, but you look around and you see all of these Special Olympians and nothing else matters,” Rheault said. “You’re doing this for the cause.”
Though much of the money raised came from police departments and other organizations, there were also participants who had personal ties to the Special Olympics.
Anne Engelhardt of Windham, who has a daughter in the Special Olympics, said she raised $500 in an effort to repay the organization for years of valuable service.
“This is a way for us to give back to them, she said. “All of these people are here for a good reason.”
After the plunge, participants headed to Hampton Casino Ballroom, where awards were given out and the crowd was greeted by Mike Quinn, the director of Special Olympics New Hampshire.
The New Hampshire Special Olympic Winter Games will take place at Waterville Valley from March 4 through 7.