NEW YORK (AP) — Cowabunga, dudes! The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are New York City's official family ambassadors for 2016.

The city's tourism agency, NYC & Company, has announced that the sewer-dwelling reptiles will star in ads to encourage families to explore New York.

Agency CEO Fred Dixon says the turtles are "the perfect guides to help families discover the vibrancy and excitement throughout the five boroughs."

The crime-fighting ninja turtles — Donatello, Michelangelo, Leonardo and Raphael — started out in comic books in the 1980s before branching out to TV and film. The latest movie came out in 2014 and a sequel is set for release in June.

They succeed Dora the Explorer, who served as last year's ambassador.