A solo jumper swan dives into the bay.

During a break in the rain Saturday morning, 76 jumpers on 13 teams braved Humboldt Bay’s 53 degree water to participate in the 13th annual Perilous Plunge. The spectacle of costumed teams jumping into the bay at the foot of F Street in Eureka is the Discovery Museum’s primary fundraiser for the year.

Humboldt State’s Marching Lumberjacks led the parade from the Discovery Museum down F Street to the waterfront followed by this year’s jumpers. One noticeable difference from years past was the Coast Guard helicopter flyover, which normally has a rescue swimmer demonstration. Event announcer and Humboldt County Supervisor Rex Bohn cited sequestration cuts as the reason the chopper flew by without stopping to drop a Coast Guardsman in the water.

Lost Coast Brewery had this year’s largest team with 14 people including a shark and “surfers” with boards. Lost Coast Brewery team member Kerry Embertson raised $1200. Event organizers were not certain, but the 14-member team may have been the biggest team to jump in Plunge history.

This year’s Plunge King was Conor Eckholm jumping with the team from Humboldt Bay Oyster Company. Plunge Queen Melissa Hodgson, dressed as Scooby Doo, jumped with Jamie Corsetti CPA.

After four years at the helm of the Discovery Museum, executive director Lynn Langdon made her first jump this year after chickening out for the past three. After testing the water and laying a plastic egg, Langdon, dressed as a chicken, flung herself into the bay flanked by two Discovery Museum employees and Discovery Museum boardmember Ken Pinkerton for the final jump of the day. Pinkerton was the last one in the bay.

Lost Coast Brewery kitchen manager Raph Pumphrey is surrounded by members of the largest team to jump this year.

Alex Albin, General Manager of Humboldt State’s Lumberjack Marching Band, walks down F street in Eureka.

A flotilla of pirate kayakers catch the plunge action from the water.

Kyle Kertscher as Fred from Scooby Doo, flings himself into the bay as part of the team from Jamie Corsetti CPA.

The Lost Coast Brewery Team prepares to enter the water of Humboldt Bay.

The First wave of jumpers from Lost Coast Brewery enter the water.

Members of the Fit Nor Cal team hurl a teammate into the bay.

A Fit Nor Cal team member catches a pass while jumping into the bay.

Tracy Stewart of the Redwood Capital Bank team Peanut Butter Jelly Fish has team members dance around her prior to jumping in the bay.

Two Peanut Butter Jelly Fish members flip into the bay.

Burly Dent from the Arcata hair salon Trim Scene Team flips into the bay.

Living the Dream Ice Cream owners cartwheel into the bay for the second to last jump of the day.

Lynn Langdon, Executive Director of the Discovery Museum, prepares to make her first ever jump at the Perilous Plunge.

Lynn Langdon, Executive Director of the Discovery Museum makes her first ever jump at the Perilous Plunge.

Lynn Langdon, Executive Director of the Discovery Museum, makes her first ever jump at the Perilous Plunge.

Ken Pinkerton makes the final plunge of the day.