STORY: Who would have thought Santa Claus isn't sporty enough - Members of the local water sports club in Monheim took to the River Rhine on Saturday (December 6) dressed as Santa Claus, the Grinch, and elves, paddling on stand-up boards in an annual event aimed at encouraging community spirit and celebrating traditions.

The event saw participants cruise past industrial plants and wild geese in festive costumes, with club members stopping to pose for group photos and brave a cold dip in the river.

"We started Santa Claus stand-up paddling a few years ago because we want to raise awareness, encourage community spirit, and keep traditions like Santa Claus alive," said René Waldeck, chairman of the Water Sport Club Monheim.

Waldeck explained that paddlers had to navigate occasional waves and winds. "It's a bit bumpy here and there and really only suitable for people who already know how to paddle," he said. "If we fall into the water, we'll just get back on our boards, and if anything happens that we don't expect – which has never happened before – we have a lifeboat with us."

The club's festive tradition, set against the backdrop of the River Rhine and its industrial skyline, draws participants annually to celebrate the spirit of the season with a mix of sport and holiday cheer.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: MONHEIM, GERMANY (DECEMBER 6, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. STAND UP PADDLERS CRUISING ON RIVER RHINE DRESSED AS SANTA CLAUS AND GRINCH

2. VARIOUS DRONES SHOTS OF SANTA CLAUS STAND UP PADDLERS CRUISING DOWN RIVER RHINE

3. STAND UP PADDLERS ON RIVER RHINE WITH WILD GEESE FLYING AWAY

4. ELF PADDLING

5. SANTA CLAUS CRUISING DOWN RIVER RHINE WITH INDUSTRIAL PLANT IN BACKGROUND

6. SANTA CLAUS AND GRINCH CRUISING ON STAND UP PADDLE (SUP)

7. VARIOUS OF MEMBERS OF WATER SPORT CLUB MONHEIM IN SANTA CLAUS, ELVES AND GRINCH DRESSES WALKING ACROSS PIER

8. SANTA CLAUS PADDLERS POSING FOR GROUP PHOTO

9. (SOUNDBITE) (German) WATER SPORT CLUB CHAIRMAN RENÉ WALDECK, SAYING:

"We started Santa Claus Stand Up Paddling a few years ago because we want to raise awareness, encourage community spirit and keep traditions like Santa Claus alive."

10. VARIOUS OF WALDECK SPEAKING TO SANTA CLAUS STAND UP PADDLERS / PARTICIPANTS CLAPPING

11. (SOUNDBITE) (German) WATER SPORT CLUB MONHEIM CHAIRMAN RENÉ WALDECK, SAYING:

"It's a bit bumpy here and there and really only suitable for people who already know how to paddle. Side waves, actually. A few waves from the front. You can see today that it's a bit windy, and you have to be able to cope with all these things."

12. SANTA CLAUS WALKING ON PIER WITH SUP AND GIFT BAG

13. WALDECK WITH SUP

14. GRINCH DENIS HARPAIN WITH SUP

15. (SOUNDBITE) (German) WATER SPORT CLUB CHAIRMAN RENÉ WALDECK, SAYING:

"If we fall into the water, we'll just get back on our boards, and if anything happens that we don't expect – which has never happened before – we have a lifeboat with us."

15. VARIOUS OF SANTA CLAUS PADDLERS CRUISING DOWN RIVER RHINE

16. (SOUNDBITE) (German) WATER SPORT CLUB CHAIRMAN RENÉ WALDECK, SAYING:

"It was a great tour, really perfect today. Hardly any waves, even though it looks a bit different now. So, excellent as always."

17. (SOUNDBITE) (German) GRINCH DENIS HARPAIN, SAYING:

"It was great again, like every year."

18. (SOUNDBITE) (German) SANTA CLAUS HOLGER QUATTLAENDER, SAYING:

"Hey, it was great. Nice, perfect weather. That's exactly how it should be."

19. STAND UP PADDLERS TAKING THEIR SUP'S OUT OF WATER

20. VARIOUS OF SANTA CLAUS PADDLERS TAKING A COLD DIP IN RIVER RHINE