
Simone Smith celebrates while running out of the water Wednesday while Lindsey Moon braces herself in a wave during an unsanctioned dip at Old Orchard Beach.
For the first time in its 37-year history, the New Year’s Day Lobster Dip in Old Orchard Beach was canceled.
The dip is a fundraiser for Special Olympics Maine, and 450 people had registered to run into the frigid ocean Wednesday. John Gilboy, chief of the Old Orchard Beach Fire Department, made the call to cancel the dips because of dangerous surf.
“We know this beach, and conditions are just too dangerous today,” he said.
He added that a primary consideration was how riptides have become stronger and more frequent at Old Orchard Beach after last January’s storms.
“I’m not going to lie, it’s disappointing that we can’t get into the water today,” said Ian Frank, president and CEO of Special Olympics Maine. “We have to be proud of the overall day itself and all of the support that we’ve gotten with the 450 dippers who raised a lot of money for Special Olympics Maine.”
Since dippers couldn’t go in the water, many posed for photos on the beach with the Lobster Dip sign. Simone Smith was part of a group of hospitality professionals who took an unsanctioned short run into the water after. Smith raised her arms in the air as she ran back out of the surf, shouting, “We did it, we did it,” as her companion, Lindsey Moon, braced herself for a cold wave.
– Photos by Gregory Rec/Portland Press Herald

Rita Losee, right, takes a photo of Simone Smith, Hailey Flora, Clifford Smith, Karina Suszynski and Lindsey Moon, left to right, at the Lobster Dip sign on Wednesday.

While Solveig Torsvik watches on Wednesday with his hand on his head, Edward Torsvik looks up while he and Emerson Welch, Amanda Torsvik and Chelsea Fournier, clockwise from Edward, make sand angels on the beach in Old Orchard Beach.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
We invite you to add your comments. We encourage a thoughtful exchange of ideas and information on this website. By joining the conversation, you are agreeing to our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is found on our FAQs. You can modify your screen name here.
Comments are managed by our staff during regular business hours Monday through Friday as well as limited hours on Saturday and Sunday. Comments held for moderation outside of those hours may take longer to approve.
Join the Conversation
Please sign into your Press Herald account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe. Questions? Please see our FAQs.