COCOA BEACH, Fla. – On Christmas Eve in Cocoa Beach, Santa didn’t need snow or a sleigh. He grabbed a surfboard and hit the waves, Florida style.
Dozens of surfers dressed head to toe in red suits and Santa hats paddled out into the Atlantic as crowds lined the shore, cheering and wishing each other a Merry Christmas. Children sat on shoulders, dogs tugged at leashes and families packed the beach to watch the annual Surfing Santas tradition unfold.
What began in 2009 as a small family gathering has grown into a signature holiday event drawing hundreds of Santa-clad surfers and thousands of spectators each year.
“So he showed up. It was myself and him,” said George Trosset, chief financial officer of Surfing Santas, recalling the first year of the event. “We had basically three spectators: my three-year-old grandson, Anderson, our dog Lola, and my wife. (…) A couple of surfers showed up, and the local newspaper took a picture. That was it, ‘Surfing Santa.’”
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Since then, the event has become about much more than festive fun. Proceeds from Santa suits and event merchandise benefit local charities, including the Florida Surf Museum and Grind for Life, a nonprofit that supports cancer patients.
Organizers say the event has raised more than $120,000 over the years, all while keeping the focus on community and giving back.
“It’s amazing,” said Cocoa Beach Mayor Keith Capizzi. “I’ve been going to it since it was at George’s house. To see what it’s turned into, the tourism, the locals, everyone having a good time, I love it.”
As the event has grown, so has the planning behind it. This year, Cocoa Beach police implemented traffic and parking plans to keep neighborhoods clear and improve safety. For the first time, shuttle service helped transport attendees to and from the beach, easing congestion and allowing families, pets, and first responders to move freely.
[MORE: Cocoa Beach police to Surfing Santas attendees: Park where you should, for goodness sake]
From sparkling morning waves to laughter, barking dogs and cheers from the crowd, Surfing Santas once again delivered a holiday message rooted in community spirit.
On a beach filled with red suits and Christmas cheer, the event proved that the best gifts of the season are meant to be shared, by people, by pets and by every generation.