Cold but worthy 23rd Leprechaun Leap held on Southport

Mon, 03/16/2026 - 10:50am

KEVIN BURNHAM

Participants line up and start running down the beach for the 23rd Leprechaun Leap on March 15. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Grace Giles runs out of the water. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Valerie Giles exits after the leap at Hendricks Head Beach. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Joey Ranco (in green shirt) looks ready to head to the shore. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

A volunteer carries some warm items for the participants. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

DeShawn Averill grabs a towel after diving into the ocean. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Ronda LeConte, kind of dripping wet! KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Donny Dunning strolls out of the water. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Vincent Giles comes ashore. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Leap volunteer Roberta Blaney, left, at work before the event. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Robert Mitchell is camera-ready! KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

The Little Dippers stayed in the water for 10 minutes or more. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

A pair of Little Dippers. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Participants line up and start running down the beach for the 23rd Leprechaun Leap on March 15. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Grace Giles runs out of the water. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Valerie Giles exits after the leap at Hendricks Head Beach. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Joey Ranco (in green shirt) looks ready to head to the shore. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

A volunteer carries some warm items for the participants. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

DeShawn Averill grabs a towel after diving into the ocean. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Ronda LeConte, kind of dripping wet! KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Donny Dunning strolls out of the water. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Vincent Giles comes ashore. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Leap volunteer Roberta Blaney, left, at work before the event. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Robert Mitchell is camera-ready! KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

The Little Dippers stayed in the water for 10 minutes or more. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

A pair of Little Dippers. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

About 20 brave souls took the initial plunge, followed by about a dozen Little Dippers – the group that relishes the cold water on a regular basis – at the 23rd annual Leprechaun Leap held Sunday afternoon, March 15 at Hendricks Head Beach on Southport Island.

Donations and pledges for the Leap are for the Boothbay Special Olympics program and many of the region’s Special Olympians took the “leap.”

“Did you get me going under,” asked longtime participant and Special Olympian Ronda LeConte.

“No, but I got you coming out (of the water),” said this reporter/photographer.

LeConte and fellow Special Olympian Donny Dunning both said it was “pretty cold.” The air temperature was around 32F and the water was only slightly warmer at around 42F.

Dozens of onlookers – most bundled up in their winter coats and hats – cheered as the “leapers” ran into and out of the ocean. Some? like LeConte, went “under,” while others waded partially to their knees or waists. Parents and volunteers were quick to provide towels, blankets and clothing to the participants after their quick dip.

Boothbay Region Ambulance Service was on hand in case of an emergency but thankfully, the attendants were not needed.