600 “Surfing Santas” Hit a Florida Beach

Over 600 Surfing Santas descended on a beach in Florida this Christmas.

Santa Claus was typically busy this Christmas, but it seems he was not delivering presents. Instead, Santa was hitting Cocoa Beach, Florida, for the 10th annual Surfing Santas event.

In fact, over 600 Surfing Santas took to the sands and waves for the festive event with a twist. Hundreds of surfers braved the chilly weather to dress in Santa outfits and were joined by thousands of people there to watch.

600 Surfing Santas

The Surfing Santas event has been running for 10 years and started when a Florida Today photographer snapped Florida resident George Trosset surfing while dressed as Santa. That Christmas Eve, 2009 image went viral as Trosset was surfing with two kids in elf costumes.

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A year later, Trosset was joined by around 100 other surfers who also dressed in Christmas gear. Since then, the festive tradition has become more popular and more and more people have joined in the fun.

Now the event is massive and has become a massive party held during Christmas week. Considering the awful weather during 2019’s event, it’s clear Surfing Santas is extremely popular.

Big Event

Surfing Santas is a free event, whether you want to hit the waves or watch from the sand. In 2019, the event raised over $130,000 for non-profits in the area. For example, money will go towards Grind For Life, a local charity that helps families of cancer patients, and the Florida Surf Museum, located inside the nearby Ron Jon Surf Shop.

Over the years, Surfing Santas has been embraced by the surfing community. Indeed, Ron Jon Surf Shop is the world oldest and is open 24/7, 365 days a year. Then there’s Cocoa Beach. As well as being the destination for Surfing Santas, the beach is known the surf capital of the East Coast, is home to 11-time surfing world champion Kelly Slater.

If you lived in Florida, would you have joined the 600 Surfing Santas this year?