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Santa Gets In A Little Diving Before His Big Flight

KEY LARGO (CBSMiami) – It's that time of year again when we shop for Christmas presents in shorts, decorate palm trees with lights and call friends and relatives up north to brag about what great weather we're having.

It's also time for Spencer Slate, owner of Key Largo's Atlantis Dive Shop, to don his Santa suit and make a 'surprise' to inhabitants in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary off Key Largo.

Slate has been doubling as an underwater St. Nick, donning the jolly man's garments, for years. Divers pay a small fee for the chance to be photographed with Santa underwater; the money goes to a local children's charity.

During his sub-sea excursions, Santa also interacts with some of the marine life including a large goliath grouper that seems quite fascinated with the underwater spectacle.

(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Keys News Bureau contributed to this report.)

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