Dressed as Santa Claus, elves, and reindeer, divers took to the waters of The Lake for the annual Scuba Santas event, raising hundreds of pounds for charity. Hosted by InDepth Dive Club, the event saw participants embrace the festive spirit, braving the chilly conditions while enjoying bacon rolls, mince pies, and an entertaining raffle.
The event raised funds for two meaningful causes: Headway – Gloucestershire, which supports individuals recovering from brain injuries, and DDRC (Diving Diseases Research Centre), a recompression chamber in Plymouth that assists divers with decompression sickness.
The charities hold personal significance for James Neal, Diving Officer at InDepth Dive Club, who experienced a subarachnoid haemorrhage 11 years ago and was told he would never dive again.
“It was fantastic to see so many divers getting into the festive spirit and supporting these vital charities,” said James Neal. “The weather was brilliant, the dive site was buzzing, and everyone had a lot of fun.
“We cooked and gave away 4 kilograms of bacon and 80 mince pies, ensuring everyone on site enjoyed a morning treat. Chocolate was a close second to the ever popular bacon butties!”
The raffle was a major highlight, raising hundreds of pounds for charity. Although initially relaunched as a late-year club event, the generous turnout and contributions from divers turned it into an incredible success. Attendees from multiple dive clubs and centres created a vibrant and festive atmosphere.
The Lake, renowned for its crystal-clear limestone-filtered waters, offered a picturesque setting for the event. Known for open-water swimming, diving, and paddle-boarding, The Lake provides opportunities for beginners with expert coaching and guidance.
Paul Breen, Outdoor Activities Manager at The Lake, shared his thoughts on the day:
“We were delighted to host the Scuba Santas event. It’s a fantastic initiative that combines festive fun with raising money for worthwhile causes.
“The Lake provides an ideal environment for open water activities, and it was great to see so many people enjoying it on our final weekend of the year!”
The success of this year’s event has prompted organisers to plan Scuba Santas 2025, set for 13 December 2025.
“We’re so grateful to everyone who helped organise the event and especially to the companies that generously donated prizes for the raffle,” added James Neal. “We’re already looking forward to making next year’s Scuba Santas even bigger and better!”
