Before I moved to Maine in 2002, I don’t think I would’ve ever considered willingly jumping into the ocean in March.

Actually, any ocean seemed pretty much off-limits in the winter — unless it was in the Caribbean. Don’t get me wrong, as I love the water and I’ve always been a big swimmer. However, submerging in churning, ice-cold ocean water is not something to which I’ve been drawn.

Yet, despite a dismal forecast that called for “high winds and a freezing drizzle,” I showed up with a group of my girlfriends at this year’s largest and coldest International Women’s Day celebration in the nation to experience what it’s like to hold hands with 1,600 other women and walk — on purpose — into a 39-degree Fahrenheit ocean!

And what an incredible afternoon we had! It was seriously freezing as we all shed our fleece leggings and layers of sweaters and jackets. No one dunked underwater, so we were able to keep our hats on, which was a godsend.

It was an amazing sight to see! There was a huge line of mermaid “dippers” and thousands of their supporters at Willard Beach in South Portland, making the sixth annual Women’s Wave not only the largest in America but also the coldest. Apparently lots of women do this around the country but no one except us crazy Mainers do it when it’s 30 degrees outside and 39 degrees in the water with high winds and freezing rain to boot. Who would want to do that? I surely would not have wanted to 25 years ago.

And I think that’s one of the lessons we learn about the value of friendship and shared life experiences as we age.

The women gathered on the beach that frigid day were of all ages, all sizes and all colors. They came dressed as mermaids, donning swimsuits or clothes they’d be able to get off their bodies quickly once they got out of the water. And we looked around at all the happy faces, and we realized we had several things in common. 

First and foremost, there was a total lack of self-consciousness. No one cared what you looked like, no one cared how big you were or if your body was perfect. No one judged you or shamed you. The day was about supporting all women — in that moment and all the time. It was enough to bring a glimmering tear to my eye as the group built community and made waves for women.

With glitter stations set up the length of the beach, everyone was encouraged to get their mermaid faces on as much or as little as they wanted. I dug right in and put glitter across my face along with all the ladies in my group. Most of my plunging group was from my tobogganing team, and we were excited to see each other when it was (just slightly) warmer than it is at the toboggan run.

The music and laughter echoed across the harbor as dancing began down the beach. Everyone was happy, chatting and shivering in the moment together before the plunge. And it turns out that 2,100 feet of beach is just the right length for 1,600 women, supported by over 50 volunteers and thousands of friends, to dip in a frigid ocean for approximately 5 minutes. 

Despite the speed of the polar dip, the friendship and camaraderie beforehand and the euphoria and exhilaration after lasted for weeks. It felt like we had gone through a metamorphosis together as we ran trepidatiously into the water, dunked up to our shoulders, shared hugs of support and got out of that ocean as fast as we could — completely transformed.

Once we were out of the ridiculously cold water, we held towels around our friends so they could change, rubbed each other‘s arms and backs and remarked on what we had just done. It was crazy and exhilarating and wonderful!

And while incredibly cold, wet and sandy, everyone sang out that they’d be there again next year to bring International Women’s Day to the forefront, to show strength and power to the world, in support of kindness and bravery for women who cannot always support themselves.

This goal is similar to the mission of People Plus — to help people live better lives, support those who cannot support themselves, and do it with kindness, generosity and empathy. Luckily, we don’t have to dip ourselves in a 39-degree ocean to do it! 

So, it goes without saying that when the opportunity to plunge into the freezing ocean with my girlfriends presents itself again next March, I will be there! If you see me then with a glimmer in my eye and little bit of glitter on my face, you’ll know why.

Stacy Frizzle-Edgerton is executive director of People Plus in Brunswick.