Staff Writer

 Madeline Timberlake inched closer to the water, hopping from foot to foot to keep warm as she and hundreds of others counted the minutes to their New Year’s Day ocean plunge. As the crowd surged forward, she grabbed her dad’s hand and without hesitating ran barefoot into the 40-degree water.

Timberlake, 10, was one of the youngest dippers to take part in the annual Lobster Dip at Old Orchard Beach on New Year’s Day. The annual fundraiser for Special Olympics Maine challenges participants to raise pledges for the icy dip into the Atlantic.

Timberlake, a first-time dipper from Livermore, was joined by her father, Matt, who has taken part in the event six times.

“The whole family says she won’t do it,” Matt Timberlake said.

“So I have to do it,” Madeline Timberlake said. “I’m probably going to get just wet enough.”

The Timberlakes were joined by 369 other dippers for the biggest annual fundraiser for Special Olympics programs in Maine. Spokesman Lisa Bird said the 23^rd annual event raised more than $100,000 to support 60 programs and 3,300 athletes. Last year, the event attracted 278 dippers who raised $78,000.

“We’re shocked and excited” by the amount of money raised, Bird said. “It really sets the tone for the whole year.”

Bird said the “fantastic” weather attracted a record number of dippers and spectators to the beach in front of The Brunswick hotel. Old Orchard Beach fire and police officials estimated the crowd at 2,000 people. Many dippers were happy temperatures topped 50 degrees and made the air warmer than the water during the event for the first time in years.

Rocky Frenzilli of Falmouth stood near the entrance to the roped-off dipping area to greet spectators and pose for photos. Frenzilli, clad in a bright red lobster costume with a “Happy New Year” sign hanging from his neck, was one of 13 people who ran into the water in 1989 for the first Lobster Dip in Portland.

“It’s kind of taken on a life of its own,” he said. “You could have knocked me over with a feather in 1989 if you said there’d be hundreds of dippers.”

Frenzilli said the best part of the event is helping Special Olympics Maine, a sentiment echoed by many dippers.

Peter Curless of Big Moose Harley-Davidson in Portland said the dealership supports Special Olympics throughout the year and employees wanted to try a new event to benefit the organization. Eleven team members raised $1,300 in donations from customers and friends.

 “We’ve been encouraged to do this and we’re excited to do this,” Curless said. “It’s beautiful. We’re very fortunate.”

Nearby, Jeff Kustron and his daughter, Katie, of New Gloucester, waited in bathrobes and sandals for the dip to begin. Jeff Kustron was preparing to take his first winter dip, while Katie Kustron said she was excited for her second trip into the water.

 “It was fun last year, but I got knocked out by a wave,” Katie Kustron said. “It was so much fun I wanted to do it again.”

Jeff Kustron said he decided to take the plunge “for the sake of a good cause.” The pair raised $228.01 in donations from Jeff Kustron’s coworkers.

For the Christo’s Place team, participating in the Lobster Dip has become an annual tradition. Christo Stratos has been dipping for 10 years, while team members Larry Springer and Joel Tessier marked their third and second dips, respectively. The men, all from Wells, wore tie-dyed jumpsuits and smoked cigars as they waited for the countdown to dip time. The team raised $2,500.

The 10-member Christo’s Place team this year included Kelsey Tessier, a 17-year-old junior at Wells High School. She said she dipped during a different local fundraiser, but wanted to take part in the state’s biggest dip after watching her dad go in last year.

 “I thought it was a good fundraiser. My dad did it last year and I felt like I could do it no problem,” she said.

Tessier’s cousin, Kelly Lampron, 20, of Chelmsford, Mass., also was prepared to take her first winter dip into the Atlantic.

 “It seemed like something fun to do, so why not?” she said. “I just want to run right in.”

For Katrina Botelho of Old Orchard Beach, taking part in the Lobster Dip was a “spur of the moment” decision. Joined by friend Pat Choiniere of Saco, she donned a rubber Conehead cap for her trip into the water.

 “I’m a beach bum, so any chance to jump in the ocean is good. It just looks like so much fun,” Botelho said. “It’s gorgeous. I’m psyched it’s warm. It makes it so much better.”

As the start of the dip drew closer, Kathleen Beechen of Portland roamed the beach wearing a black leotard, fishnet stockings, red tutu and lobster cap. A first-time dipper, she said she knew a man who used to take part in a Polar Bear Dip in Boston and always wanted to try.

“I’m not getting any younger, so I’m doing it,” she said. “I’m so happy it’s warm.”

As Beechen made her way through the crowd to the edge of the water, Catalina Bakas of South Berwick spent the last few minutes before the dip posing for photos with other teams.

 “I think it’s a great thing to start the new year with a fundraiser,” she said. “It’s got to be the warmest Jan. 1 in a long time.”

Sisters Lauren Lessard, 18, and Renee Lessard, 15, of Arundel, waited patiently at the water’s edge for the countdown to begin. Lauren Lessard decided to take her third plunge wearing a Batman costume, while her sister dipped for the first time wearing a Superman costume.

The Lessards said they support Special Olympics Maine because they have cousins who take part in the program. They hope to put together a larger team and raise more money next year. They raised a combined $200 this year, Lauren Lessard said.

Team “I Dip, You Dip, We Dip” stood out from the crowd in their colorful lobster costumes. Team members Amy Roberts, Jon Roberts, Dave Roberts, Anna Roberts, Sarah Roberts and Adam Mallory came from Maine, Connecticut, Virginia and Washington, D.C., to support Special Olympics. Jon Roberts crafted the costumes and the team raised almost $2,000.

“It’s for an amazing cause. Special Olympics is just awesome,” Amy Roberts said. “It is an amazing event to bring in the new year.”

A 30-minute delay for dip time did little to dampen the spirits of dippers gathered on the beach. As the dip began, the crowd surged forward into the water with shrieks and laughter. Within minutes, dozens of dippers were back on the beach and running back into the water for a second time.

Kelsey Tessier, the teenager from Wells, held onto her cousin’s arm as they ran into the waves a fourth time.

 “After the second dip you don’t really feel anything,” she said.

Within 10 minutes, dippers were all out of the water and making their way into The Brunswick for a party that included food and music. Wrapped in warm clothing and her Conehead cap, Botelho was all smiles.

 “It was wonderful. I’d definitely do it again,” she said. “The water was freezing. It was exhilarating.”

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.