DE LEON SPRINGS, Fla. – You’ve heard of the Polar Plunge, but have you heard of the “DeLeon Dunk”?
On New Year’s Day, participants can jump into the clear, 72-degree water at DeLeon Springs State Park to get their year started with the second annual event.
“If it’s a cold day, the pool will feel so warm and inviting. If it’s a warm day, the pool will feel so cool and refreshing,” according to the event’s website.
The “pool” features spring-fed water that stays at 72 degrees year-round, with depths from 18 inches to 30 feet near the spring boil.
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Check-in for the event starts at 8 a.m. and everyone is scheduled to jump into the water at the same time, around 8:30 a.m.
Participants have two options for taking part in the event:
- Just Dunk! - You only need to pay for park entrance fee to enter. Includes the DeLeon Dunk, fire pit, warm-ups and other activities.
- Slam Dunk! - $10 fee that has everything above and also includes DeLeon Dunk souvenir magnet or sticker, hot cocoa or coffee, and be entered into our drawings for dozens of prizes. Slam Dunkers will also have access to enter the DeLeon Dunk Contest. Categories: Best Swim/Dunk Outfit (1st - 5th place), Youngest Dunker, Oldest Dunker, Dunker Who Drove the Farthest to get to DeLeon Dunk, and more.
Organizers encourage you bring a warm towel, robe, or a jacket. After the DeLeon Dunk, order some hot breakfast at Old Sugar Mill Pancake House. They will probably have a fire in the fireplace. Rent a kayak/canoe/pedal boat/standup paddleboard, take an eco-history boat tour, or just hang out in the park.
In addition, park rangers will guide First Day Hikes on the nature trail at 10 a.m. and noon.
The event is hosted by the Friends of DeLeon Springs State Park, “a non-profit, volunteer organization whose aim is to help the park fulfill its mission to provide resource-based recreation while preserving, interpreting, and restoring natural and cultural resources,” according to Sharon Pinder, president of the organization.
While this event is not a fundraiser, Pinder said it is an something that helps park visitors enjoy the beautiful resources we have here.
The nonprofit’s annual fundraising event is the DeLeon Dash 5K Race, which is held in September. Funds from the event this year allowed the group to purchase a new utility terrain vehicle used for storm clean-up and other projects in the park.
Happy New Year!