RIO DE JANEIRO — This year, Santa Claus made a splashy entrance, arriving on a Jet Ski to bring holiday cheer to children with disabilities. The festive event took place at the iconic Copacabana beach, where numerous children eagerly awaited gifts and joyful moments.

On a warm day with temperatures around 27 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit), firefighter sergeant Thiago Carvalho de Paiva donned a Santa outfit, paddling through the waves as joyful beachgoers cheered him on. “We aimed to create a memorable entrance for Santa Claus,” remarked Renato Grigorovski, a representative of Rio’s firefighting team.

The event kicked off with an impressive exhibition featuring skilled service dogs and progressed to delightful treats, including popcorn and refreshing açaí bowls for all attendees. The excitement peaked when Santa arrived on the Jet Ski, making a dramatic entrance on the sandy shores of Rio, known for its stunning beachfront scenery.

However, Santa’s day wasn’t devoid of responsibility. After handing out gifts, De Paiva promptly leaped back into the surf to assist three individuals who seemed to be struggling to make their way back to the shore. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, thanks to the firefighters’ swift action and readiness to help.