NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP) – Bill Farr didn’t have a good reason for deciding to stay in chilly Long Island Sound longer than anyone ever had.

“I just wanted to do it,” the Southington resident said.

Farr and a group of U.S. Navy divers broke the record for the longest chilly dip at the annual “Penguin Plunge” Sunday. Farr staggered out a few moments after the group after staying in 34-degree water for 15 minutes and 38 seconds. It topped the record set last year of 10 minutes and 2 seconds.

The event is a fund-raiser for the Special Olympics of Connecticut. About 215 people participated and raised more than $30,000, organizers said.

Steve Getchell dove in for the first time.

“I was hoping it would snow or something and they would cancel this,” he said. “But this was wild, holy cow. The first moment when your skin hits the water, there’s a total loss of breath; it’s like being tackled by a linebacker. But sign me up again.”