Water Skiing Santa

On Christmas Eve (Friday) Katie picked up her Grammy from the airport and went directly to see the Water Skiing Santa at National Harbor. For 25 years he's water skiied every Christmas Eve on the Potomac River. I saw him in 2004 and the show has grown a lot since then. Now it has an announcer, music, more participants, and a LOT more spectators.

This year the conditions were probably close to what he's accustomed to when he skis at the North Pole. The water temperature was 33 degrees and the air temperature was colder than that. But we bundled up and stayed warm and enjoyed watching Santa water ski with his friends -- elves that do flips on their wakeboards, Frosty the Snowman, and all his reindeer including Rudolph. The Grinch made an appearance on a jet ski and splashed Frosty the Snowman which upset Katie.

Afterwards Katie got her picture taken with some of the participants and then wanted to run around in the sand by the river. We met Grammy, Nancy, and Peter at a nearby burger place (Elevation Burger) for lunch and to warm up. We realized that Peter's been out to eat with us only twice -- both times to Elevation Burger.

Here's a segment from our local news about the event:


Here's a video from 2009: Water Skiing Santa 2009.

Some photos are below. More are here.


Katie's vantage point.


Here comes Santa Claus!


Santa with the Wilson Bridge and George Washington Masonic Temple in the background.


Rudolph


Katie with Frosty


It's always awkward when the bear goes for the hug but you go for the handshake.


Katie in front of the giant tree at National Harbor.