In Kearney, Ontario, Santa once again donned his waterskis skis to bring cheer and charity to the small lakeside town for the eighth consecutive year. The annual Santa Claus Charity Water Ski Show, held on November 2, transformed Perry Lake into a Christmas spectacle, blending athleticism with holiday spirit. Organized by local resident Scott Waites, the event shattered previous fundraising records, collecting over $10,000 in cash donations and 2,100 pounds of food for the Burk’s Falls Lions Club food bank.
“The skiers put on a world-class show on the frigid waters of Mirror Bay, and we look forward to the continued growth of Canada’s only charity Santa Claus Ski Show,” said Waites in a statement to Muskoka411.
Waites launched the ski show in 2015 as a one-man performance and has watched it evolve into a professional-level production. This year’s show featured over a dozen water skiers, including members of Show Ski Canada and local volunteers dressed as iconic holiday characters. Waites himself reprised his role as Santa Claus, skiing alongside the Grinch—a fan favourite—played by local resident Derek Rickward.
Together, they carved through the chilly November waters, much to the delight of the hundreds of spectators who lined the banks.
The annual show also featured a crowd-pleasing tradition: a lake jump by show announcer Kraig Miller and boat driver Stephen Morrison, who took the plunge after attendees exceeded a goal of $1000 in cash donations.
The ski show has become Kearney’s largest charity event and is scheduled for November 8 at 1:00 pm next year.