Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach for charity

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By Jake Jordan

COCOA BEACH, Fla. — Surfing Santas returned to Cocoa Beach, Florida, for a 16th year, a traditional costumed extravaganza on Florida’s Space Coast that has become one of the world’s most-anticipated Santa-themed gatherings at the surfing capital of Florida’s East Coast.

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More than 12,000 spectators flocked to Cocoa Beach Christmas Eve morning to cheer on over 400 surfers, taking to the Atlantic Ocean decked out in their St. Nick outfits

Read: Ocala police spread holiday cheer with Operation: Secret Santa

This year’s event raised a record-setting $100,000 for charity, bringing the total raised since 2013 to more than $400,000.

Read: Federal judge rejects Florida’s attempt to end lawsuit over manatee death

All proceeds benefit the work of local organizations, including Grind for Life, which provides financial assistance to cancer patients and their families when traveling long distances for their healthcare; the Florida Surf Museum, which preserves Florida’s unique surfing history; and several local school sports teams.

Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach

Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach

Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach

Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach

Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach

Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach

Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach

Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach

Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach

Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach

Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach

Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach

Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach

Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach

Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach

Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach

Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach

Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach

Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach

Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach

Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach

Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach

Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach

Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach

Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach

Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach Surfing Santas take over Cocoa Beach

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