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Hundreds of surfers in Santa suits ride waves in Florida

ASSOCIATED PRESS / 2009

On Christmas Eve in 2009 George Trosset went surfing behind his house in Cocoa Beach in a Santa suit with his son and daughter-in-law. A photo made the local paper and next year some friends joined him in Santa suits of their own. Every year the event got bigger. This year thousands showed up in downtown Cocoa Beach for the annual Christmas Eve Surfing Santas event with hundreds of surfing Santas taking to the waves. The event now raises money for the Florida Surf Museum and Grind for Life. The weather was perfect Florida weather this morning with temperatures in the high 60’s, unfortunately there were very small waves for the event.

COCOA BEACH, Fla. >> The waves of red in the waters off Florida’s Space Coast weren’t the dreaded red tide algae but rather hundreds of surfers dressed as Jolly Old St. Nick.

Hundreds of surfers in Santa suits jumped on their boards off the beach in Cocoa Beach, Florida, today in what has become an annual tradition.

Thousands of spectators cheered them on as part of a fundraiser for the Florida Surf Museum and also a charity for cancer patients.

Organizers say about $40,000 was raised this year.

Spectators on the beach dressed as elves, donned Santa hats, and wore Christmas sweaters.

The surfing Santas have been riding the waves off Coach Beach on Christmas Eve for the past decade.

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