FSM newsletter Surfing Santas Chills Out!

FREEZING WEATHER DOES NOT DETER SURFING SANTA FANS

The water was the warmest place on the beach.

The coldest front of the year paid a visit to Surfing Santas on the 24^th, and it was cold! We were worried that we would have a light turnout due to the weather- it was 35 degrees with a 20+ mph wind- but the crowd was a big as ever. Everyone was bundled up except for the Brevard Hawaiian Dancers, who deserve medals for performing in grass skirts in the brutal weather. The costume contest was great fun and the bands put on a great show despite playing with frozen fingers. Even Kelly Slater showed up for the fun.

Director John Hughes and Kelly Slater

We were fortunate this year to be able to raffle off a Toyota Hilux SUV, donated by Mike Erdmann Toyota and their new pre-owned car outlet, Auto Expo 95. Ticket sales were brisk and we raised over $20,000 from the raffle. Thanks Mike ErdmannToyota!

The winners were Pat and Kirsten McDonough of Rockledge FL

Additionally, Longdoggers Restaurants raised over $17,000 in Surfing Santas T-shirt sales for the museum. Thanks, Longdoggers Team!

Afterwards, we were able to write a check for $12,500 to Grind for Life, www.grindforlife.org, our partner non-profit. Mike Rogers and Jill Gretsky do an outstanding job that benefits cancer patients as well as providing skate camps and guidance for youth nationwide.

ANNUAL BOARD MEETING

Our annual board meeting will be held on February 25th at the Cocoa Beach Public Library Captain’s Room at 1pm. The meeting is open to members and the public. We hope you will attend and support your museum.

DID YOU KNOW…

The Florida Surf Museum supports many local programs and scholastic groups? For the past several years we have donated $500 to Drown Zero ,www.drownzero.com, a project administered by the Cocoa Beach Rotary Club which installs lifesaving stations equipped with a lifesaving device that can be used by anyone to rescue a distressed swimmer when lifesaving services are not available. There are currently 42 stations installed and the museum sponsors the station at 13^th Street South.

Additionally, we have supported various high school and college surf teams and scholastic groups. In return for helping set-up and breakdown equipment for our events we donate money to these groups to support their activities. These have included surf teams from Cocoa Beach, the FIT Surf Club and the Viera High Ocean Bowl scholastic team.

THIS JUST IN!