More than 400 people made a big splash into 2026 on Thursday morning by running into the cold ocean as part of the annual Santa Barbara Polar Dip. 

It was the first official Polar Dip since 2024. Organizers decided to cancel the event in 2025 after they received notice from the City of Santa Barbara that they could be fined if they didn’t provide lifeguards, portable toilets and trash containers during the event.

This year, the New Year’s Day event was held at a new location, Leadbetter Beach, and the organizers received a donation to help fulfill all of the city’s requirements, which cost about $4,000. 

“Everyone was so outraged,” organizer Hugh Margerum said. “We have this wonderful community event, and the city’s putting all their restrictions on it and everything, but I understand. I can’t believe the unbelievable outpouring of support.”

While the official event didn’t happen last year, Margerum said about 100 people still showed up to take the plunge. 

This year, more than 400 people signed up for the free event online, and Margerum said more showed up in person to register right before the plunge. 

“This is very gratifying,” Margerum said. “I’m very grateful that we live in this town. Santa Barbara is just wonderful, and it makes me feel really, really good.”

Margerum started the event in 2017 with friend Julie DeAngelis. It started with just 15 people and has been steadily growing ever since. 

While New Year’s Eve brought light rain on and off during the day, and then heavy rain at night, the sun came out for the Polar Dip.

Mac McNeel was excited to have the event back this year and with great weather.

“I think the universe was with us, because it was supposed to be terrible weather, and it was looking like there wouldn’t be a great turnout, and today it’s like they’re overwhelmed with the turnout,” McNeel said.

Her advice for taking the plunge is not to think about how cold it’s going to be; just get in the water.

“It’s a great way to wake up on New Year’s Day. No matter what you were doing last night, when you hit that water, it’s gonna be a new day, a new you,” McNeel said.

Participants started showing up around 11 a.m., then all lined up on the sand before running into the water at 11:30 a.m.

Alexis Dilg said it was her fifth year attending the Polar Dip and that it’s become an annual tradition for her and her family. 

“It’s nice just to have a family tradition and something to look forward to, and just get your mindset to start the year off in a special way,” Dilg said. 

While she was in the water for only a minute, Dilg said her husband and kids were staying in the water for a little bit and that they were thankful for the nice weather.