Organizers of the annual polar plunge tradition in Coney Island were forced to cancel the event this New Year’s Day because of the pandemic, but that didn’t stop one ocean lover from diving right in.

This year would have been the 117th annual polar plunge. It’s a tradition for people to cleanse themselves before entering the new year and some people did decided to come out anyway.

Polar plunge enthusiast Michael didn’t let the cancelation stop his annual tradition of dressing up as Santa and jumping in the water.

“This is the best way to greet the new year,” says Michael.

Fellow plunger Donald Borbee was also disappointed the event was canceled but understands why. Borbee says once you jump in it’s great.

Organizers created a fundraising program to help the Coney Island community since the event had to be canceled.

“We have huge crowds and there’s just no way to divide it even if it was just 100 people who showed up,” says Alexandra Silvers, the executive director of Alliance for Coney Island, Inc. “There’s no way to safely do that.”

Organizers are hoping to have a big celebration for next year’s polar plunge to honor those who survived and died from COVID-19.