Santa Claus is coming to drown?

If you have ever wondered what Santa does when his sleigh breaks down, the answer is to be found on Washington DC's Potomac River this Christmas Eve.

In what has become something of a tradition for the area, tourists will be treated to the phenomenon that is a water-skiing Santa and his knee-boarding reindeer skimming along Washington's winter waters.

The troupe will also be joined by elves, a jet-skiing Grinch and Frosty the Snowman in a dinghy, all of which will be accompanied by a festive sing-along with the Caroling Candy Cane Kids.

Best viewed from Lady Bird Johnson Park on the George Washington Parkway in Virginia, the free event is assured to take place whether it rains, snows or shines so that children won't be disappointed.

Now in its 21st year, historically the participants do not prepare a show, meaning that viewers will at least be assured of the unpredictability factor safe in the knowledge that any breathtaking stunts will be as much dependent on luck as judgement.

Water-skiing Santa begins at 13:00 local time on December 24th.