Brazilian Santa swaps sleigh for Jet Ski to deliver toys — and joy — to disabled children in Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Santa Claus is coming to town ... on a Jet Ski.

Dozens of children with disability gathered on Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach on Tuesday to receive presents — and joy — from the white-bearded man himself, a joint effort by the city's firefighters and nonprofit associations.

Under 27 Celsius degrees (80 Fahrenheit), firefighter sargeant Thiago Carvalho de Paiva wore Santa Claus costumes in tropical Rio, moving through the water as beachgoers cheered.

“We wanted to find a special way for Santa Claus to arrive,” said Renato Grigorovski, a spokesman for Rio’s firefighters' department.

The day began with a show of sniffing dogs displaying their skills and continued through lunch, with popcorn and refreshing acai bowls. The celebration reached its peak when Santa arrived on Jet Ski, making a grand entrance on the shores of Brazil 's postcard city.

But it was not all fun and games for Santa. After delivering presents, De Paiva quickly jumped back into the water to rescue three people who appared to have trouble returning to shore.

None was injured, firefighters said.

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A firefighter dressed as Santa Claus waves from a Jet Ski off of Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)

A firefighter dressed as Santa Claus entertains children on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)

A firefighter dressed as Santa Claus rescues a man on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)

A firefighter dressed as Santa Claus drives a Jet Ski by Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)

A firefighter dressed as Santa Claus drives a Jet Ski by Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods isn't the only member of his family who can produce big moments. His 15-year-old son Charlie made his first ace Sunday in the PNC Championship.

Woods was more excited than if he had made the hole-in-one himself.

“That was the thrill of a lifetime to be able to have that moment with Charlie, make his first hole-in-one,” Woods said.

Charlie Woods hit 7-iron from 175 yards on the par-3 fourth hole at the Ritz-Carlton Club Orlando during the final round of the tournament that pairs mostly major champions with family members.

It was a key shot in a 15-under 57 in the scramble format and almost enough for the win until Bernhard Langer made an 18-foot eagle putt to beat Team Woods in a playoff.

Charlie Woods didn't even know the shot went in the hole. A large gallery by the green began wildly cheering, as did another group of fans on the other side of the hole, most of them holding up their index finger — some downward to indicate it went in the hole, some upward to show his score. Television cameras finally confirmed it for him.

“It was awesome having Dad there," he said. “That was so much fun. It was just a perfect 7-iron, little cut in there. Of course never got to see it go in. So that sucks. But that’s all right.”

Woods gave a hard embrace to his son, then playfully shoved him away.

“We heard it up on the green on the right and left but we were totally unsure until the TV confirmed it. And we went nuts,” Woods said. “I don’t know what we did, but we enjoyed it. It was an unbelievable moment.”

This is the fifth straight year Woods and his son are playing the 36-hole tournament and the second time they finished as runner-up.

That didn't take away from the moment, or the day. Charlie Woods, a sophomore at Benjamin School in North Palm Beach, was asked where he ranked Sunday on the fun meter on the golf course — making an ace, being in contention and getting into a playoff.

“No. 1,” he said. “It's not even close.”

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Tiger Woods, left, and Charlie Woods react after missing a putt during a playoff hole on the 18th green to win the PNC Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Tiger Woods, left, and his son Charlie Woods fist bump after making their putt on the 13th green during the final round of the PNC Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Charlie Woods, left, walks on the fourth fairway after hitting a hole-in-on as his father Tiger Woods follows during the final round of the PNC Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Charlie Woods watches his tee shot on the fourth hole that went in for a hole-in-one during the final round of the PNC Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Tiger Woods, center, reacts to his son Charlie Wood's hole-in-one on the fourth hole during the final round of the PNC Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Charlie Woods, front, and his caddie Luke Wise react after his hole-in-one on the fourth hole during the final round of the PNC Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Tiger Woods, right, congratulates his son Charlie Woods after his hole-in-one on the fourth hole during the final round of the PNC Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)