A family braves the 32-degree weather to leap into the waters of DeLeon Springs for the “DeLeon Dunk” on Thursday, January 1, 2026. The event is held every year in the 72-degree springs to bring in the new year. More than 100 people took part in the event. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Kids and adults warm their feet by a fire pit before braving the 32-degree weather to leap into the waters of DeLeon Springs for the “DeLeon Dunk” on Thursday, January 1, 2026. The event is held every year in the 72-degree springs to bring in the new year. More than 100 people took part in the event. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
A baby doesn’t seem to mind braving the 32-degree weather to leap into the waters of DeLeon Springs for the “DeLeon Dunk” on Thursday, January 1, 2026. The event is held every year in the 72-degree springs to bring in the new year. More than 100 people took part in the event. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Kids shiver in the 32-degree weather before leaping into the waters of DeLeon Springs for the “DeLeon Dunk” on Thursday, January 1, 2026. The event is held every year in the 72-degree springs to bring in the new year. More than 100 people took part in the event. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Swimmers wait in the 32-degree weather to leap into the waters of DeLeon Springs for the “DeLeon Dunk” on Thursday, January 1, 2026. The event is held every year in the 72-degree springs to bring in the new year. More than 100 people took part in the event. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Dressed warmly, swimmers wait in the 32-degree weather to leap into the waters of DeLeon Springs for the “DeLeon Dunk” on Thursday, January 1, 2026. The event is held every year in the 72-degree springs to bring in the new year. More than 100 people took part in the event. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Swimmers wait in the 32-degree weather to leap into the waters of DeLeon Springs for the “DeLeon Dunk” on Thursday, January 1, 2026. The event is held every year in the 72-degree springs to bring in the new year. More than 100 people took part in the event. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
A child is bundled up in the 32-degree weather before leaping into the waters of DeLeon Springs for the “DeLeon Dunk” on Thursday, January 1, 2026. The event is held every year in the 72-degree springs to bring in the new year. More than 100 people took part in the event. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
A lone swimmer, dressed in holiday garb, walks across a bridge in the 32-degree weather to leap into the waters of DeLeon Springs for the “DeLeon Dunk” on Thursday, January 1, 2026. The event is held every year in the 72-degree springs to bring in the new year. More than 100 people took part in the event. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Participants in the early-morning mist brave the 32-degree weather to leap into the waters of DeLeon Springs for the “DeLeon Dunk” on Thursday, January 1, 2026. The event is held every year in the 72-degree springs to bring in the new year. More than 100 people took part in the event. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Swimmers smile after braving the 32-degree weather to leap into the waters of DeLeon Springs for the “DeLeon Dunk” on Thursday, January 1, 2026. The event is held every year in the 72-degree springs to bring in the new year. More than 100 people took part in the event. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
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A family braves the 32-degree weather to leap into the waters of DeLeon Springs for the “DeLeon Dunk” on Thursday, January 1, 2026. The event is held every year in the 72-degree springs to bring in the new year. More than 100 people took part in the event. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)