Athletes from the Gloucester High School crew will confront the frigid winter waters off the Gloucester Point Beach in the fifth annual Guinea Dip on Saturday, March 10.

The event, which begins at 11 a.m., is part of a yearly fundraiser held by the Gloucester Rowing Association to offset the costs associated with competitive rowing.

Members of the Gloucester rowing team are each tasked with raising $100 before they take the plunge into the York River. GRA president Jack Moore said the athletes are given this task so that, aside from raising money for their team, they “have some skin in the game.”

The event features raffles for gift baskets donated by local vendors, a 50/50 drawing, music by DJ Mike Purdue, and food and drink, all of which culminates in the Guinea Dip.

A VMRC dive team is on hand for safety purposes and athletes must run from the beach out to them, high-five the officers, and return to the beach. Once back, the team is kept in tents and under blankets.

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