**COLD COMFORT**: Every Sunday morning, the ‘Dopamine Dippers’ take the plunge into the waters of Nantasket Beach – no matter the season. Above, Steve Walsh and John Ferris head back to shore after taking a dip prior to the arrival of Sunday’s winter storm. [Photo courtesy of Jennifer Whelan]

What began as a single, solo dip in 2021 has quietly evolved into one of Nantasket Beach’s most life-affirming community rituals.

Every Sunday at 9:30 a.m., year-round, you’ll find the “Dopamine Dippers” gathering at Nantasket Beach on Hull Shore Drive Extension – locals and newcomers alike, standing together at the edge of the Atlantic, ready to do something bold.

No experience required. No pressure. Just an open invitation to step into the water in whatever way feels right for you that day.

The group was founded by Karen LaFond, who started cold water swimming shortly after moving to Hingham in 2021. What started as a personal practice for healing, resilience, and longevity organically grew, one person at a time. This year marks the fifth season of the Dopamine Dippers, and weekend dips now regularly draw 20 or more participants, with a dedicated crew meeting at sunrise most mornings at the same spot on the beach.

But this isn’t about bravado or pushing limits for the sake of it.

Deliberate cold water swimming is known to support dopamine regulation, reduced inflammation, improved circulation, nervous system resilience, and mental clarity. Beyond the science, participants speak about something harder to quantify: presence. Joy. A deep sense of aliveness. The kind that comes from doing hard things – together.

“This is about longevity. It’s about healing your body. It’s about showing up for yourself,” LaFond said. “But most of all, it’s about community.”

And that’s the heartbeat of the Dopamine Dippers. Seasoned plungers stand shoulder-to-shoulder with first-timers. You’re encouraged to listen to your body, move at your own pace, and trust that you’re supported – whether you go all the way in or simply dip your toes.

In a world that often feels rushed and disconnected, this community has created something rare: a space where relationships are built through shared experience, courage, and laughter – often followed by hugs, hot tea, and wide smiles.

If you’re even the slightest bit curious, you’re already welcome.

You can find the Dopamine Dippers on Instagram, or reach out directly to LaFond on Instagram with questions or to try your first dip. Whether you go once or become a regular, there’s a place for you in the circle.

**TAKING THE PLUNGE:** Members of the ‘Dopamine Dippers’ hit the water every Sunday morning, year round, as part of their wellness routine. Shown this past week are, from left, Werner Schultz, Christine Danielson, Jill Griffin, and group founder Karen LaFond. [Photo courtesy of Jennifer Whelan]

Because this is where people come to feel alive.

This is where presence lives.

And sometimes, all it takes is a step into cold water to remember who you are.

Always better together! It takes a village.

The Dopamine Dippers are not just rooted in community; they are grounded in science and safety. LaFond is one of the first certified thermalist instructors in the world, having completed more than 130 intensive hours of training under Dr. Susanna Soberg, the leading global scientist in cold water immersion and thermal stress adaptation, based in Sweden.

Soberg’s groundbreaking research has helped redefine how cold exposure impacts dopamine regulation, metabolic health, inflammation, stress resilience, and longevity. Her work is widely regarded as the gold standard in the field of deliberate cold exposure, bridging cutting-edge science with real-world application.

LaFond traveled to Sweden to study directly under Soberg. The training emphasized understanding individual nervous system responses, safe exposure protocols, breath regulation, recovery, and contraindications – ensuring cold-water immersion is practiced as a therapeutic tool, not a reckless challenge.

“This isn’t about how long you stay in,” LaFond said. “It’s about how intentionally and safely you enter the experience.”

That scientific foundation shapes every Dopamine Dippers gathering. Participants are guided to listen to their bodies, honor their limits, and engage with cold water as a practice for long-term health, nervous system regulation, and sustainable resilience.

The result is a rare blend: a joyful, inclusive community experience backed by world-class research – where courage meets care, and cold water becomes a pathway to healing mind, body, and soul.

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