The waves of generosity just rolled in! We’re proud to announce that Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation (SEPF) has awarded a $5,000 grant to the Florida Surf Museum in sponsorship of the 2025 Surfing Santas event in Cocoa Beach. This exciting news comes with a powerful message: preserving surf culture, coastal heritage, and public access to beaches is more vital—and more fun—than ever.

Founded by Ron DiMenna, the visionary behind Ron Jon Surf Shop, SEPF exists to protect and promote the history of surfing and the environment in which it thrives. Since 2014, the Foundation has used proceeds from Florida’s Endless Summer® specialty license plate to fund ocean conservation, coastal access, environmental education, and the cultural legacy of surfing. To date, SEPF has supported over 100 nonprofits annually across the Sunshine State—all fueled by those iconic black plates with the orange and red sunset. Learn more and get yours at BuyThePlate.com.

The Florida Surf Museum, housed in Cocoa Beach, is dedicated to preserving the stories and artifacts of Florida’s rich surfing history. From legendary wave riders to the evolution of boards and beach culture, FSM connects past to present for surf lovers everywhere. As a key supporter of Surfing Santas, the museum not only helps tell the story—it helps make the magic happen.

Surfing Santas began as a small family tradition in 2009 and quickly exploded into an international sensation, bringing together thousands on Christmas Eve to ride waves in Santa suits and celebrate coastal community, charity, and stoke. Today, it draws over 12,000 spectators and 400+ surfers annually, raising money for both FSM and Grind for Life, which supports cancer patients and their families.

Grind for Life, founded by pro skateboarder and cancer survivor Mike Rogers, is a nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance to cancer patients who must travel long distances for treatment. Whether it’s transportation, lodging, or daily expenses, Grind for Life helps ease the burden so families can focus on healing. The partnership with Surfing Santas ensures that every wave ridden helps make a real-world difference.

“This grant means the world to us,” said George Trosset, founder of Surfing Santas. “SEPF’s support not only helps us continue this amazing tradition, but also it strengthens our commitment to educating the public, preserving Florida’s surfing heritage, and celebrating our shared love of the ocean.”

With increasing competition from over 200 specialty plates now available in Florida, SEPF is calling on the community to help keep the Endless Summer® plate the #1 choice for surf and beach lovers. Every plate sold supports projects just like Surfing Santas—and helps protect the places and passions that define our coastal lifestyle.

Want to support the mission?

Order your Endless Summer® plate today at BuyThePlate.com and help preserve Florida’s surf legacy one ride at a time!

For more on the Florida Surf Museum, visit FloridaSurfMuseum.org
Learn more about SEPF at preservesurfingbeaches.org
For more about Grind for Life, visit GrindForLife.org
And don’t miss the big event: SurfingSantas.org