Narragansett, Newport beaches to host charity New Year’s Day plunges

NARRAGANSETT, R.I. (WLNE) — Special Olympics Rhode Island will hold its 50th Annual Penguin Plunge at Scarborough State Beach to start off the new year.

The event will splash off at noon Thursday, where 1,500 swimmers will enter the beach’s water, estimated to be about 43 degrees, according to tidecharts.com.

The event will feature the organization’s first-ever $100,000 sponsorship from the Rhode Island Freemasons and the Rhode Island Shriners.

This will go toward Special Olympics Rhode Island’s $225,000 fundraising goal.

A family-friendly plunge will take place shortly after at 12:15 p.m.

Newport will also host its own plunge event, with the 22nd Annual Freezin’ for a Reason Polar Plunge Challenge.

The event is held by A Wish Come True, with money raised by plungers granting wishes and providing resources to families of children facing life-threatening illnesses.

The event will kick off at noon Thursday at Easton’s Beach.