DUBAI // Santa glided into a Dubai school by parachute instead of on his trusty sleigh to pay a surprise visit to students.
With a propeller strapped to his back, Santa circled over Horizon School in Safa Park on Thursday as more than 700 children chanted his name.
Smoke billowed from the field as the man in a red suit made his descent via paramotor on the last day of classes before the Christmas holidays.
In previous years, Santa visited astride a camel and had once abseiled down the school building.
“It was incredible and wonderful to hear the children cheer and shout his name,” said Ian Wallace, assistant head teacher.
“It’s a tradition every year when Santa visits Horizon School his visits are more exciting. It was bigger and better this year. Instead of dropping straight down in a parachute it was a more appealing because of the paramotor since he could circle around for a while,”
To stoak-up the atmosphere, several other Santas hid on the school roof before the guest of honour made his appearance.
Santa then met the students and collected letters they had written.
The jump was organized by a team from Sky Dive Dubai. Santa did not reveal his preferred mode of transport for next year.
rtalwar@thenational.ae
