Why not start 2016 making history, participating in what might just be the first ever obstaplunge.

This year for the 5th Annual Frozen Clam Dip, hosted by Laidback Fitness and the Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership (RIMP), will not only feature the traditional plunge into the maybe not-so cold waters of Greenwich Bay, but will also have an option to participate in a quarter-mile obstacle course preceding their dip. Bay waters were in the high 40s on Monday.

Jo-Ann Schofield, president and CEO of RIMP, said the obstaplunge, made up of six different obstacles along the beach, was the idea of plunge partner Ryan McGowan, owner of Laidback Fitness.

After last year’s plunge, McGowan was talking to his client, Chris Albero, when they came up with the idea to combine the two. The obstaplunge has been in the making ever since.

McGowan and Albero partnered up with BoldrDash, an organization that hosts obstacle course races across the state, spreading the word to their clientele as well as McGowan and Albero’s supporters.

McGowan and Albero have participated in every BoldrDash event in Rhode Island. Through this, the two have been able to build a working relationship over the years, which helped in getting BoldrDash to partner with the Frozen Clam.

BoldrDash is donating the use of some of their equipment for the obstaplunge, even debuting a new one just for the event.

Participants for the obstaplunge will have two choices, either an easy or medium level of obstacles. The obstacle courses will differ in the height of hurdles and harder balancing sections depending on the course. Either course welcomes people without being too intimidating. There will be six different obstacles, some with over and under obstacles and one obstacle with a ramp that leads people to take the plunge to join the traditional plungers.

McGowan believes the obstaplunge differs from the typical plunge because this concept adds a physical challenge and not just a mental challenge. With this, McGowan feels that this new idea will bring in more people and help the fundraiser become much more successful for this year and years to come.

Between BoldrDashes and Tough Mudders, obstacle courses have become a popular event. Schofield and McGowan said that this is the first obstaplunge for the state and believe it may just be the first time ever an obstacle course has been paired with a traditional plunge. The hope is that by adding the obstacle portion more people would be interested in joining in on the fun.

Schofield said registrations have been coming in all weekend and surprisingly, more people have signed up for the obstaplunge than the traditional one.

“I think, more than ever, people are looking for a sense of adventure,” Schofield said. “These obstacle courses have a little bit of that. People can be a part of the first ever obstaplunge and help local kids while they’re at it.”

All of the proceeds from the event will benefit RIMP’s “matching services.” All volunteers must be screened and trained before they can be matched up with a needy child.

Currently there are more than 800 children throughout the state on a waiting list for a mentor, and like in the past, Schofield hopes that the Frozen Clam Dip will not only bring in financials, but will also inspire participants to become mentors themselves.

“We believe that every child is one caring adult relationship away from being a success story,” Schofield said.

She said that it is important for children to have an adult, separate from their parents, that can be a champion for them, a positive role model. Some children may get this from other family members, or coaches, but in some cases RIMP needs to establish that relationship.

Approximately 80 percent of children that are paired up with a mentor see an improvement in their academic performance, according to Schofield. Also, those students that once struggled with truancy often see an increase in attendance and actually look forward to school.

Schofield said, “We find that students really benefit from this sort of connection. Our overall goal is to ensure that all students have the same opportunities to excel in their lives and mentoring is just one way of helping with that.”

Last year the Frozen Clam dip raised $7,500, and this year RIMP hopes to raise $12,000 or more.

“We encourage people to take the plunge for mentoring and help our state’s children,” Schofield said.

The 5th Annual Frozen Clam Dip will take place at Goddard State Park Beach on New Year’s Day beginning at 12 p.m.

Both the traditional and obstaplunge will begin at the same time. There will be two courses for the obstaplunge with similar obstacles, but at varying ability levels.

Currently, the weather is calling for a sunny day, reaching temperatures in the mid-40s. It will also be high tide during the plunge. Lifeguards will be present.

The comedians from Funny 4 Funds will also be working as emcees for the event to pump up the crowd.

The traditional plunge costs $25 and participants will receive a short sleeve T-shirt when registering online before 5 p.m. on Dec. 31.

The obstaplunge costs $35 and participants will receive a long sleeve shirt when registering online before 5 p.m. on Dec. 31. Costs will vary slightly for day of registration.

For more information on Laidback Fitness, visit their website at www.laidbackfitness.com.

For more information on RIMP, mentoring, or to register for the Frozen Clam Dip, visit www.mentorri.org.