It’s a brand new year and local water skiers are bringing in the year with what they do best. They hit the water Tuesday, a tradition that has been going on for years.

These skiers are starting out their year with one of their favorite hobbies.

"Well, we are out here for our annual New Year ski," says Robert Blaire a member of the Macon Water Ski Club.

It’s a decade’s long tradition for the Macon Water Ski Club. Harp Suggs has been there since the tradition’s conception. "They have been doing it for 25 years, and if he falls, I want to see him," he adds

Harp's skiing days are done but he says he's never missed a chance to watch the skiers fall in to frigid cold water this time of year, while others participate in the tradition for the first time. "I figured I would start the New Year off with something different," adds Allison Lowe, as she participates in the ski for the first time.

Robert Blaire and his daughter Haley came out for the fun-filled day, and say fostering friendships is the key to success for the day. "The biggest part of it is getting families together," says Blaire.

Cierra Shultz was one of the youngest skiers putting the cold water to the test this New Year. "It's really fun," she adds.

She and her mother say she's been looking forward to hitting the waves since the summer months and newcomers to the tradition say the first day of the year couldn't have been better.

"Oh it was awesome, it was a lot of fun," says Allison Lowe.

Macon Water Ski Club members say that water sports are unique and today's event brings those with the desire to participate in the sports together during their off season.

"In the skiing community, people have such great relationships with one another, that it's always something to look forward to," adds Blaire.