Super Plunge Set for March 4 & 5

NARRAGANSETT, RI—Call them crazy but crazy for a good cause. Ten friends of Special Olympics will jump into the ice cold water at Salty Brine Beach. And unlike Polar Plungers or Penguins, who dip once on New Year, these Super Plungers are going to dive once an hour for 24 hours.

The shivering starts at 1 p.m. on March 4 and continues until noon March 5. That's when the Torch Run Plunge takes over. Patch wanted to know all the details, so here's the scoop.

Q. So, what is the Super Plunge exactly?

A. According to Special Olympics RI, it's an effort to boost both awareness and fundraising for the Torch Run Plunge.

Q. And the Super Plunge is different than the Torch Run Plunge?

A. Actually, it's "exactly like the Torch Run Plunge, with only one small difference. Instead of plunging into the near-freezing water a single time, Super Plungers must plunge once every hour for a 24-hour period."

Q. How Did Super Plunge Start?

A. In 2013, Chief Elwood Johnson, of the Richmond Police Department, turned the idea of doing a Super Plunge into a reality. "With a local police department's mobile command vehicle, a lot of courage and a heaping stack of dry towels, Chief Johnson began his plunging commitment at noon on Saturday and continued once every hour throughout the night and into Sunday. Each plunge was self-documented with his iPhone. For some plunges, Chief Johnson had a crowd of spectators to cheer him on, and at others he plunged alone in complete darkness. For his 23rd jump, he plunged with his wife and children. For the 24th, he plunged with the athletes and other participants of the Torch Run Plunge.

Q. So, that's it?

A. No, there's more. "In 2015, Special Olympics RI volunteers, Jim Cummings, Bob Mathews, Det. Eric Leclerc and Firefighter Rick LaBreche, made the commitment to join Chief Johnson in the Super Plunge. Each individual had a different motivation for joining. However, the one common factor is the over 3,200 athletes who participate year-round in Special Olympics RI. Their goal was to collectively raise $30,000 which would provide immense assistance to Special Oympics RI sports programs, allowing them to continue to grow and provide countless opportunities for each of our athletes on and off the playing fields.

In 2016, Chief William Ziehl, Sgt. Diogo Mello, along with Correctional Officers' Anne LaRocco and Matt Laythe joined Chief Johnson, Det. Leclerc, Firefighter Rick LaBreche (retired), Jim Cummings and Bob Mathews in the Super Plunge, raising more than $80,000.

Q. And who's jumping into the ocean this year?

A. The 2017 Super Plungers are:

Chief Elwood Johnson - Richmond Police Dept.
Chief William Ziehl - Foster Police Dept.
Detective Eric Leclerc - Cranston Police Dept.
Detective Mark Brazil - URI Police Dept.
Detective Diogo Mello - East Providence Police Dept.
Sgt. Erica Vieira - URI Police Dept.
Ron LaBreche - Woonsocket Police Dept. (Retired)
Rick LaBreche - Woonsocket Fire Dept. (Retired)
Mike Bullock - Special Olympics RI Athlete
Bob Mathews - Special Olympics RI Volunteer

Q. How to Help?

A. Visit the Super Plungers at Salty Brine Beach in Narragansett and cheer them on or consider making a donation to their team by clicking here.

Q. And then what about the Torch Run Plunge?

A. That's set for March 5, and here are the specifics:

• Date: Sunday, March 5, 2017
• Location: Salty Brine Beach, Narragansett
• Registration begins at 10 a.m.
• Donation: $50 minimum donation to plunge!
• Incentives, the more you raise the more you get!
• Plunge at noon

For additional information regarding the Torch Run Plunge, please email Tracy Garabedian at tracy@specialolympicsri.org or call (401) 349-4900.