How many of your holiday traditions involve watersports? Before 1986 the friends who now head up Waterskiing Santa would’ve joined you in saying, “None.” But that all changed when one of them came up with a wacky bet, and everyone else got on board. The group of friends decided to draw straws, and whoever got the short straw would have to dress up like Santa and go waterskiing on the Potomac. The unlucky man suited up on December 24th of 1986 and hit the waves, only to find that he had a blast—and so did his friends, as spectators. So he decided to do it again next December and, this time, a local news crew came to witness it.

Now more than 30 years later, the friends have only missed the live event once. Last year, due to the pandemic, they pre-taped it on a private lake. But this year it will be back for the public to view in person on December 24th! Find a spot along the banks of the Potomac River in Old Town Alexandria, anywhere between Founders Park and Waterfront Park, and you’ll have a front-row seat as Santa zooms by. Then stick around and meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at the park after he’s back on dry land.