Drivers travelling along Ocean Drive can catch a glimpse of him paddling around the lake in his red kayak and Santa hat each morning until Christmas.

Mr Hunter said there has been some changes this year after he and his wife moved to Port Macquarie in late June.

"We moved to Port Macquarie at the end of June but people at Lake Cathie have been very kind and let me use their yard to store the kayak," he said.

"I've been driving down to pick up the kayak and I think I'll probably be here every day until Christmas.

"Originally I was doing it for the benefit of kids with disabilities and it has just snowballed from there.

"Nowadays it's mostly adults that see me. I'm popular with the tradies and parents taking children to school, but the kids are all stuck on their devices now."

He is joined in the kayak by lovable Jack Russell, Ruby, who always enjoys a quick swim to shore. Ron's previous dog, Spike passed away in 2017 at the age of 17.

Mr Hunter said motorists are still keen to give him a honk of their horns as they drive to work and emergency services supply a flash of their lights as they cross the bridge at Lake Cathie.

"The lake is pretty full at the moment and I quite like that. You can paddle around and get right in-between the tea trees," he said.

"I've been doing this for 15 years now and it's still rewarding to see the wave and enjoyment from people."

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