Scuba Santa Dive Made a Big Splash for Kelowna SPCA

Some call them crazy, others refer to them as brave devotees, whichever they're called, these Santas are passionate about two things above all else: scuba diving and four-legged fury friends. Kelowna Divers, in collaboration with MAB Construction hosted their first, to what will hopefully be an annual event, Scuba Santa Splash on Saturday.

Photo credit: KelownaNow.

A total of 12 Santas slipped into their wet suits, and with Santa hat in check, dived into the frigid Okanagan Lake. The purpose behind their madness? To raise money for the Kelowna SPCA.

Garnering funds through diver sponsorship, raffles, and gift donations via several Kelowna businesses, the Scuba Santa Dive made a big splash on behalf of the Kelowna SPCA.

The event began at 10:00 a.m. and the divers hit the water at 11:30 a.m. The purpose of the dive was of course to raise funds for the SPCA, but also to have fun. Swimming around in murky water, the divers searched for goodie bags in the depths of the public boat launch between the Yacht Club and Rose's pub. The maximum depth a diver dove to was 40 feet.

Santas weren't the only swimmers in the water today, as Willow the dog wasn't afraid to jump right in the water and join in on the fun as well.

Photo credit: KelownaNow.

Willow even posed for a smooch in the puppy kissing both.

Photo credit: KelownaNow.

After the divers found their goodie bags, they were treated to a hot turkey sandwich and a hot drink for a small $5 dollar donation.

Franki Beaney from MAB Construction, Bekcy Butt from Kelowna Divers, and Heather Harrison from the Kelowna SPCA were all very happy with the show of community support on Saturday morning and can't wait for next year's Scuba Sanata Splash to commence. 100 per cent of the proceeds from the Scuba Santa Splash will be going to the Kelowna SPCA.

Photo credit: KelownaNow.