Surfing Santas has grown from a small family day in South Cocoa Beach into a local gathering with an international appeal.
On December 24, 2009, George Trosset went Surfing dressed as Santa with his son and daughter in law dressed as Elves. The Florida Today newspaper published a picture on the front page of the Christmas Day newspaper. George’s friends saw the picture and inquired about joining him the following year.
On December 24, 2010, we had 19 Surfing Santas participate. The following year, more people wanted to join the fun at Surfing Santas.
On December 24, 2011 we had 84 Surfing Santas in the water and a few hundred spectators. The following year was exciting for the Surfing Santas. A local skydiving enthusiast, Chuck Jullian, contacted us and asked if he and a few of his sky diving friends could land on the beach dressed in Santa Suits. What a great opportunity! Of course we allowed it.
On December 24, 2012 we had 159 Surfing Santas, 6 Sky Surfing Santas and several hundred spectators. It was a perfect blue sky and sunny 75 degree Florida day. By now the news media had joined us for this unique fun day. In addition to Florida Today and the Orlando Sentinel coverage, we had TV coverage from Fox News, Channel 13 News, ABC And NBC. This coverage added to the crowds for 2013.
On December 24, 2013 we had 210 Surfing Santas and close to 1000 spectators. The weather was cloudy, windy and cold. The Sky Surfing Santas had to cancel their jump. The event had grown so big, we had to find a new location. When we approached the City of Cocoa Beach about moving the event downtown, we were received with open arms. The city not only encouraged us to move downtown, but actually offered to sponsor the gathering.
On December 24, 2014 we had close to 300 Surfing Santas 18 Sky Surfing Santas and over 4000 spectators. Ron Jon Surf Shop offered to underwrite our event. Our friends at Fat Kahuna Resturant served up an all you can eat pancake breakfast and donated the proceeds to the event. A local artist, Keith Coffman, donated our event T Shirt design. Our T Shirt supplier, Florida Funware, gave us the event T Shirts for their cost. The Secrets of Cocoa Beach gift shop, Coconuts on the Beach and Surfinista Cafe all sold our event T Shirts for us. Juice N Java Cafe offered free parking to the Surfing Santas as well.
The community support was overwhelming, it seemed like everyone we talked to wanted to ride the “Surfing Santa Wave” with us.
A huge Surfing Santas thank you to all who helped out!
As we look forward to December 24, 2015………………