Surfing Santa Competition Benefits Children with Autism

Surfing Santa Competition Benefits Children with Autism

Every year, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel celebrates the holidays in grand style. With surfing Santas, the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting celebration, and the festive Howl-iday Yappy Hour, the resort is the perfect place to ring in the season.

Santa Shreds
Get wet for a great cause at the 3rd annual Surfing Santa Competition on Saturday, November 17th at 7:30 a.m. Sport your best jelly belly and beard while riding the surf at Salt Creek Beach to benefit children with Autism.

This jolly competition raises funds for the non-profit organization – Surfers Healing. Founded by Izzy and Danielle Paskowitz, parents of an autistic son diagnosed at age three, Surfers Healing is dedicated to enriching the lives of people living with autism by exposing them to surfing.

The Competition features a $1,000 prize for first place in the Big Air “Flying Rudolph” category. Additional prizes will be awarded in each of the other categories: Santa’s Helpers (15 and under), Santa’s Elves (16 to 20-year-olds), Toymakers (ages 20+), and Yule Loggers (open long board). The entry fee is $40 per person in advance or $50 after November 15th. Surfers can register online at SurfingSantaContest.org.

Get on Board
In conjunction with the Surfing Santa Competition, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel hosts the Annual Holiday Surfboard Auction with proceeds supporting Surfers Healing. The auction features a selection of boards from surf legends, talented artists, celebrities and renowned musicians. This year’s auction includes signed boards from Laird Hamilton, Donavon Frankenreiter, Mark Healy, Taylor Knox, Greg Long, and Josh Kerr, as well as art boards by Roy Gonzalez, Paul Bond, Eric Diamond and Damien Fulton. Celebrity boards include one autographed by the cast of Hawaii Five-O, a board signed by the cast of Sons of Anarchy, and boards from Flea and Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. All auction surfboards will be on display at the resort from November 17th through December 31st. To place a bid, go to BiddingForGood.com/SurfersHealing.

See the Light
The Ritz-Carlton welcomes the community to the 28th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting on Sunday, November 18th at 4 p.m. The celebration includes flipping the switch to illuminate the 50-foot tree, holiday music performed by The Jeeps and, of course, a visit from Santa Claus himself. Children can have their photo taken with good ol’ Saint Nick while giving him the rundown on their wish lists. Guests are encouraged to bring canned or non-perishable food items, toys, books and stuffed animals that will be donated to local Orange County charities.

You’re in for a Treat
Guests will also enjoy a gingerbread display created by the resort’s pastry team. More than 400 hours will go in to making this year’s “FantaSea-Land” themed display. The amazing work is crafted from gingerbread, sugar cubes, waffles, pretzels, cream puffs, rolls, cookies, crackers, cereal, macaroons, dried fruit, chocolate shavings, candy, candy and more candy.

Happy Howl-idays!
Four-legged friends will also have a chance to celebrate at theHowl-iday Yappy Hour on Saturday, December 1st from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This gathering of canines and their companions offers Fido the opportunity to snag a photo-op with the “Big Dog” himself–Mr. Claus. Photos with Santa are $10 per canine and guests are asked to bring unopened, canned or dry dog food, treats or dog toys to be donated to the Shelter. These items will provide support and comfort to canines at the Shelter that have not yet found forever families.

Sharing is Caring
Throughout the season, the resort collects donations of canned goods, non-perishable food items, toys, books and stuffed animals that will be provided to local Orange County charities, including Miracles for Kids, Orange County Rescue Mission and Children’s Hospital of Orange County. In return for your donation, the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel will present you with the gift of an Anniversary Card, offering a 15 percent value in its restaurants, spa and retail shop, as well as complimentary day valet parking.