Surfing Santas Makes Waves with Record-Breaking Fundraising and Lifesaving Training
Florida’s iconic Surfing Santas event made a splash this Christmas Eve, drawing over 12,000 spectators and 400 costume-clad surfers to the shores of Cocoa Beach. The 16th annual celebration of holiday spirit and surfing raised an unprecedented $100,000 for local charities, pushing the total funds raised since its inception to over $400,000.
Proceeds from the event benefit Grind for Life, which provides financial support to cancer patients and their families, the Florida Surf Museum, and local school sports programs. This year also marked a special collaboration with Orlando Health as the presenting sponsor, aligning with its expansion into Brevard and Indian River Counties.
“Surfing Santas has been called the ‘Greatest Show on Surf,’ and it’s amazing to see how much it’s grown since that first year,” said George Trosset, the event’s founder. The tradition began in 2009 when Trosset donned a Santa costume while surfing with his family, capturing the attention of a local news photographer.
Orlando Health’s Daniel Hodges, an avid surfer and the CFO for the East Region, joined the festivities, highlighting the partnership between the healthcare network and the Surfing Santas. The event also introduced lifesaving opportunities with Who We Play For, a non-profit dedicated to preventing sudden cardiac death. The organization trained over 400 attendees in CPR and AED use and provided free EKG screenings for 40 children.
With its mix of festive fun, community impact, and charitable giving, Surfing Santas continues to be one of the most beloved holiday traditions on Florida’s Space Coast.