Splashing for a cause

December 31, 2018 11:00 pm • Last Updated: January 01, 2019 5:46 pm

By Sean D. Elliot
Director of Photography

s.elliot@theday.com

Kimber Barrett, left, and Rose Felicetti race into the Atlantic Ocean for the 13th annual Penguin Plunge to benefit the Westerly Area Rest and Meals (WARM) Center Tuesday, January 1, 2019 at Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly. WARM Executive Director Russ Partridge expected the number of swimmers to top 225 with another thousand in spectators. Swimmers were limited by lifeguards to waist-depth due to the surf. The air temperature was 56-degrees, a far cry form the 2018 swim that was postponed due to extreme cold. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
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Supporters of two local social service organizations, Malta Ministries and Westerly Area Rest Meals (WARM) Center, braved cold waters at local beaches to raise funds Tuesday for their ongoing efforts.

The 19th annual Malta Samaritan Swim raises money for the organization's efforts to help the homeless and those in extreme poverty in the region. Swimmers totaling up to 100 raced into the Fishers Island Sound waters from Eastern Point Beach in Groton shortly after noon, after WCTY disc jockey Johnny G. played the national anthem and Groton City Mayor Keith Hedrick sounded the air horn.

The WARM Center's 13th annual Penguin Plunge saw more than 200 brave the wind and high surf off Misquamicut Beach in Westerly to support the center's shelter and soup kitchen.

Lifeguards restricted plungers to waist-deep waters and an "in and out" trip for safety. Hundreds of not-as-brave souls watched from the relative warmth of the beach.

Air temperatures were in the mid-50s, and water temperatures in the mid to upper 40s, a significant improvement over the 2018 events, both of which were postponed due to extreme cold.

Other similar events were held in Niantic, New London and Esker Point Beach in Groton.

Robert Hunt takes a leisurely swim in to preserve his status as last out of the water during the 13th annual Penguin Plunge to benefit the Westerly Area Rest and Meals (WARM) Center Tuesday, January 1, 2019 at Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly. WARM Executive Director Russ Partridge expected the number of swimmers to top 225 with another thousand in spectators. Swimmers were limited by lifeguards to waist-depth due to the surf. The air temperature was 56-degrees, a far cry form the 2018 swim that was postponed due to extreme cold. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
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Megan Tabraham, left, splashes Kelly Lamb, as the two race into the waters of Fishers Island Sound for the 19th annual Malta Ministries Samaritan Swim Tuesday, January 1, 2019 at Eastern Point Beach in Groton. The event raises money for the Malta Minisitries outreach programs for the homeless and those living in poverty in the region. The water temperature was 44-degrees and the air temperature was 56-degrees, a far cry form the 2018 swim that was postponed due to extreme cold. Organizers hoped for 100 swimmers to raise at least $100 each. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
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Billy Montgomery gives a small fist pump of celebration as he wades out as the last person in the water at the 19th annual Malta Ministries Samaritan Swim Tuesday, January 1, 2019 at Eastern Point Beach in Groton. The event raises money for the Malta Minisitries outreach programs for the homeless and those living in poverty in the region. The water temperature was 44-degrees and the air temperature was 56-degrees, a far cry form the 2018 swim that was postponed due to extreme cold. Organizers hoped for 100 swimmers to raise at least $100 each. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
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John Gieri and Biagio race back to the beach after plunging into the Atlantic ocean in the 13th annual Penguin Plunge to benefit the Westerly Area Rest and Meals (WARM) Center wade through the surf Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, at Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly. WARM Executive Director Russ Partridge expected the number of swimmers to top 225 with another thousand in spectators. Swimmers were limited by lifeguards to waist-depth due to the surf. The air temperature was 56-degrees, a far cry form the 2018 swim that was postponed due to extreme cold. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
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Participants race into the Atlantic Ocean for the 13th annual Penguin Plunge to benefit the Westerly Area Rest and Meals (WARM) Center Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, at Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly. WARM Executive Director Russ Partridge expected the number of swimmers to top 225 with another thousand in spectators. Swimmers were limited by lifeguards to waist-depth due to the surf. The air temperature was 56 degrees, a far cry form the 2018 swim that was postponed due to extreme cold. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
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