Today, the Waterskiing Santa Claus is a local holiday icon. But 30 years ago, he was the result of a dare. In 1986, a group of friends started joking about dressing up in a Santa suit and waterskiing along the Potomac on Christmas Eve. The joke escalated into a dare, and they drew straws. When the unlucky loser took to the frigid Potomac waters dressed as Kris Kringle, he obviously drew a crowd of onlookers—and, surprisingly, enjoyed the impromptu performance. He enjoyed it so much, in fact, that he did it again the following year. Before long, it became an annual tradition.

Waterskiing Santa Claus returns this year on Christmas Eve at 1 p.m. Grab a spot along Cameron Street to see how the performance has evolved. You'll notice that it's not just Santa who skims the waves anymore. He's joined by other holiday characters like Rudolph, the Grinch, and Frosty the Snowman. Afterwards, you and your family can say hello to all of them at the pavilion behind the Torpedo Factory.

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