The kids were probably indulging in a bit of paddling that developed into a bit of splashing and wading that developed into trouble.
The oafs who volunteered to jump off the pier, however, were probably fueled by testosterone and stupidity, whether braced by pints or miiligrams, I don't know. I do know that some of the watching crowd, on their return, were offering suggestions, most centered on "Chuck 'em back" and suggestions that they worked in finance (sounded like bankers).
There was a great sense of relief, in both cases, that they were rescues, not recoveries.