Home » Final Numbers Are In, 837 Surfing Santas Ride the Waves in Cocoa Beach Beach on Christmas Eve

Final Numbers Are In, 837 Surfing Santas Ride the Waves in Cocoa Beach Beach on Christmas Eve

By  //  December 25, 2017

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OVER $95,000 RAISED FOR LOCAL charities

ABOVE & BELOW VIDEOS: What started as a small family gathering in Cocoa Beach, Florida, Surfing Santas has grown into an international viral sensation. Space Coast Daily’s “On the Town” coupleAlan Zlotorzynski and Gina Liberto were live from Cocoa Beach to bring you all the action.

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA — Surfing Santas event founder George Trosset said in a recent video describing his event that if a world record existed for the number of surfers dressed up like Santa surfing on Christmas Eve, his event would most assuredly be at the top of the list.

On Christmas Eve morning, more than 10,000 people packed the shoreline of Cocoa Beach just off the Minuteman Causeway and watched as 837 Santa-suit and other Christmas costume wearing surfers caught waves.

The number eclipses last year’s total of 772 Surfing Santas.

Even more impressive is the amount of money raised for the ninth annual Surfing Santas extravaganza.

More than $35,000 was raised for the charities Grind for Life and the Florida Surf Museum.

Grind for Life is a cancer support group whose mission is to provide financial assistance to cancer patients and their families when they travel long distances to visit doctors and hospitals.

The 17-year-old Florida Surf Museum preserves and documents all aspects of the unique history and culture of Florida surfing, exposing visitors to the heritage and traditions of the surfing community.

What started as a small family gathering in Cocoa Beach, Florida, Surfing Santas has grown into an international viral sensation. Space Coast Daily’s “On the Town” couple Alan Zlotorzynski and Gina Liberto were live from Cocoa Beach to bring you all the action.
SPACE COAST DAILY TV: Surfing Santas Hit Cocoa Beach Christmas Eve Morning With Thousands Looking OnRelated Story:
SPACE COAST DAILY TV: Surfing Santas Hit Cocoa Beach Christmas Eve Morning With Thousands Looking On

The first, very unofficial Surfing Santas event took place on Christmas Eve 2009 when Trosset and his son, George Jr., and daughter-in-law Britteny thought it would be a kick to go surfing in South Cocoa Beach dressed up as Santa Claus and his elves.

When a photo of their antics hit the media, others wanted to join the fun. Since then, the number of Surfing Santas – as well as the size of the decked-out beachside audience, which is usually a sea of red and green – has grown almost exponentially each year.

In 2010, 19 Surfing Santas participated but the event continued to nearly double in size every year. In 2014, 300 Surfing Santas, 18 Sky Surfing Santas and over 4,000 spectators participated.

Next year is sure to see over a 1,000 Surfing Santas and 15,000 spectators.

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