This early in the legislative session, things have yet to really heat up. But one senator is already about to chill out.

Beginning at 10 a.m. Friday, Sen. James N. Robey will dunk himself into the chilly Chesapeake Bay once an hour for 24 hours. Crazy?

"A good number of people think I'm insane," Robey said. "But I'm not getting any younger, and this is something I've always wanted to do."

Robey, who just turned 69, is the former Howard County executive and police chief. Now he has become a "Super Plunger" to raise money for the Maryland Special Olympics.

It's the extreme version of the Polar Plunge, an annual event sponsored by the Maryland State Police that draws thousands of shivering participants to Sandy Point State Park. Traditional plungers, who this year will include Gov. Martin O'Malley and former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., usually take one quick dip.

Robey has been a regular plunger since the event began in 1997, missing only three years. For the Super Plunge, he'll sit in a folding chair in heated tent awaiting the top of each hour. He says he's bringing two bathing suits and sweatshirts.

He's no ankle-wader, either. He said each time he'll run in up to his knees and fall over into the water.

This morning's Baltimore Sun article describes Super Plungers this way:

As for the plunge itself, anyone thinking, 'That's easy for him to say; why doesn't he get out there and try it?' should know that (Maryland Special Olympics executive Tom) Schniedwind does, scores of times every year. As part of a die-hard subset of quick-frozen lunatics known as "Super Plungers," he'll be one of 82 men and women out there beginning at 9 a.m. Friday, jumping into the icy water - and making the 100-yard trek back to the warming tent - at least once every hour for 24 hours. Each of the 82 has raised at least $10,000. Other Super Plungers include former Oriole B.J. Surhoff and Ravens offensive tackle Adam Terry, who's been doing the plunge for three years now.

As Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller said this morning, Robey, a fellow Democrat, is "sacraficing his body" for the cause. Miller also noted that the repeat dipping would have been easier when Robey was 100 pounds heavier. The senator dropped lots of weight about 18 months ago.

Miller pledged $240 to Robey, figuring $10 per hour was good pay. He urged other senators to contribute, as well. Robey said many have. He's raised more than $11,000 so far.

Update: Del. Jon S. Cardin, a Baltimore County Democrat, is doing Saturday's traditional plunge as part of the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar. His team of about a dozen plungers has raised more than $10,000, he says. Cardin says he plunges every year and has his technique down: "Keep it as short as humanly possible. I go in, dip my head in and get out of there."