The 20th annual Leprechaun Leap at Hendricks Head Beach on Southport Island on March 15 saw the most participants ever plunging into the icy surf.

It was a chilly day by March in Maine standards, but the sun was shining on the 24 stalwart kids and adults who braved the cold, dry air, and the icy wet ocean to raise money for Special Olympians and Boothbay Special Education.

The annual Leprechaun Leap, held the week of St. Patrick’s Day pending weather conditions, is the original ocean-dipping fundraiser in Lincoln County. 

Special education teacher and Special Olympics coach Toby LeConte and event originators and organizers Tom and Sue Witt were on the beach, as always, guiding the participants and ensuring they were ready to head down to the icy surf when Tom blew the official starter,  an air horn.

At 3:30 p.m. that horn blasted, and participants young and old(er) fled down the beach looking like they couldn’t wait to get into the ocean. More likely they couldn’t wait to get it over with.

The fundraiser originated when sisters Julia and Amy Irish told their friend Tom Witt they’d plunge into the ocean off Portland or Old Orchard if he would pledge $100 to benefit the local Special Olympics.

Then Amy suggested they do it closer to home, at Hendricks Head. She was 12 at the time. The first event was on New Year's Day. The next year it was held on Valentine’s Day and called the Passion Plunge. Eventually, it got pushed back to St. Patrick's Day.

Fundraisers and brave leapers this year were: Blake Chadwick, Kelsey Hoyle, Amber Hyson, Valerie Giles, John”Piper” Rankin, Isaac Pray, Grace Giles, Bobby Edwards, Jason Blake, Zander Blake, Anthony Angelico, Lucian Stoddard, Coyle Lawler, Holden Lawler, Donny Dunning, Matt Farnham, Joey Ranco, Ronda LeConte, Dakota LeConte, Roberta Blaney, Dylan Geyer, Christy Tozier, Earl Brewer, Debbie Mellor and Erica Mullans.

Debbie Mellor has made the icy plunge every year since its inception. She said her daughter did it the first year. “She said it was so much fun, I should do it. So I did it, and she grew up and left. Then my son did it and said it was so much fun, and then he grew up and left, and I’ve been doing it ever since.”

Witt said he has yet to make the plunge only because, “somebody with experience has to be able to blow the air horn.” Next year may be his maiden leap, with a little encouragement.

He said all the money raised goes toward the local Special Olympians and the school district of the Boothbay region.

Boothbay Region High School graduate Ronda LeConte has participated in the leap every year. She said she goes “all the way in” each time.

A $100 prize was offered to the person or group who raised the most dollars. There was a good chance the winner would be Zander Blake, who raised $925 of his goal of $1,000.

Toby LeConte said she was especially proud of Zander, who has autism, and it’s not easy for him to talk with people. She said he was determined to raise the $1,000, but time fell short.

The leap usually brings in $1,000 to $3,000 in donations. Pledges are still being accepted. Contact LeConte at BRES, at 633- 5097.