Surfers at the Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel know that Santa comes not by sleigh but by surf. So it became a tradition to hold the surfers' competition to raise money for Surfers Healing, which helps to enrich the lives of people living with autism by exposing them to the unique experience of surfing.

The annual Surfing Santa Competition takes place in November (on the weekend before Thanksgiving). The location is Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point. The competitors dress in Santa suits (or other costumes) and paddle out to catch some waves.