Festive divers hit the water to support charities

14 December 2025

Carys NallyWest of England

News image — Nearly 90 divers took to the water dressed as Christmas trees, reindeer and Santas.

BBC Two men smile at the camera, one dressed as a Christmas tree over their wetsuit and one dressed as Rudolph the red nosed reindeer with diving equipment on this back. — Nearly 90 divers took to the water dressed as Christmas trees, reindeer and Santas.

Nearly 90 scuba-diving Santas, reindeer and Christmas trees have gathered to raise money for charity.

Certified scuba divers arrived at Radstock's Vobster Quay in Somerset in their festive outfits to fundraise for Help the Heroes and National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) earlier.

The organisers have raised £55,000 since the annual event started in 2007, with the 85 divers and supporting team raising more than £3,000 this year.

Amy Stanton, Vobster Quay owner, said the event has become a "statement fixture" in the UK diving calendar.

Ms Stanton said: "Every year diving clubs and individuals from across the country converge on Vobster Quay for the festive scuba dive.

"Seeing so many Santas waddling around the quayside in scuba diving gear is a truly surreal sight," he added.

About 20 divers can been seen treading water dressed in their Santa consumes and with their googles on, about to dive. — The event raised £3,000 for charities Help for Heroes and RNLI this year

Vobster Quay, a scuba diving and open water facility, created a world record for the most diving Santa's to hit the water at once in 2015.

More than 180 divers took part that year with the group hoping to top it this December, however many divers were sadly taken ill with the flu this month, organisers said.