Northwest Wanderings: The Seattle Aquarium's scuba-diving Santa

15th in an occasional series

Mr. Claus, you've got some underwater competition from a Jewish woman in 100 pounds of scuba gear.

North Pole Santa is way too buoyant for this gift run, says Andrea DosSantos.

To do this work, he'd have to turn most of that excess into muscle.

DosSantos brings Christmas cheer to the 120,000-gallon "Window on Washington Waters" exhibit at the Seattle Aquarium.

Her bag of gifts is filled with herring, krill and squid. No wrapping necessary.

"That's ice cream and candy for our collection," says Tim Kuniholm, of the aquarium.

Two elves, one the diving-safety officer, help DosSantos into her dry suit.

As the aquarium's interpretive curator, she has a voice-activated microphone inside her mask to communicate with visitors during her presentation.

With sea creatures everywhere — no reindeer necessary for this Santa.

Now, darter! Now, damsel! Now, haddock and grunion!

On, grouper! On, ratfish! On, sea bass and salmon!

Alan Berner: aberner@seattletimes.com or 206-464-8133