Post date: Dec 24, 2013 11:52:39 PM
Santa takes a break from the North Pole to go scuba diving in the Florida Keys.
KEY LARGO, FLORIDA KEYS, U.S.A. (DECEMBER 24, 2013) (FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU) - Santa spent an unusually warm Christmas Eve (December 24) this year. Rather than staying bundled up in the North Pole, he took a plunge in the warm waters of the Florida Keys.
His long white beard gracefully flowed in the pristine blue waters as he swam past vibrant yellow-tailed schools of fish in his bright red suit and hat. There were no boots for this Santa to trudge through the snow. Instead, flippers.Unfortunately, this wasn't the original Santa. It was a Florida version played by Keys dive shop operator Spencer Slate. Slate decided to take a break from his gift giving to visit marine critters at Elbow Reef.
Yellowfish snapper were some of his biggest visitors, among other wildlife that enjoyed a visit from this scuba diving St. Nick.
And it wasn't the first dive for this Florida Keys Clause. He's been sporting the jolly old man's costume for years, bringing holiday cheer to the underwater world.
But it isn't all Christmas regalia and tradition for Slate. His yearly underwater appearance has a charitable purpose. For dive customers who pay a fee to take a photo with Mr. Noel himself, the revenue is donated to a local children's charity to pay for gifts throughout the holiday season.
Elbow Reef is situated around six miles from Key Largo. It features an 1800s military supply vessel, later converted into a coal barge that sunk in 1917.
It is unclear if his reindeer really know how to swim.