If Cocoa Beach, Florida were viewed from space on Christmas Eve, there would’ve been quite a sizable splotch of red in the water. It’s not the red tide, that’s thankfully cleared up for the most part. No, it was hundreds of Florida surfers dressed in the guise of jolly old Father Christmas himself.
Cocoa Beach held its ninth annual “Surfing Santas” event on Monday. The tradition was started in 2009 by local man George Trosset, who was surfing in a Santa suit for his kids. After a local paper printed a picture of him, he began doing it regularly with his friends, and Surfing Santas gradually became a city tradition. The event brings surfers from all over to tear up the waves in red hats and coats. Thousands of onlookers came this year to cheer on the hundreds of Santas in the water. The waves were sadly a bit underwhelming, but nevertheless, this year’s event raised over $40,000. Proceeds from the event go to the Florida Surf Museum, as well as Grind for Life, a sports charity that aids cancer patients.
