Q&A: Surf City Santa Claus

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Q&A: Surf City Santa Claus

John Prusa says he finds being Surf City Santa a rewarding experience.

The Five things Surf City Santa wants you to know:

1 Santa has a heart to match his girth.

2 He loves having his picture taken.

3 He abides by the Santa Claus Oath,

4 He entertains, dazzles and delights children in the magic of Christmas.

5 He enjoys reading "Santa's Favorite Story" to young and young-at-heart alike.

In 1977, John Prusa was a wooden toy builder, living in Virginia and serving in the Marine Corps.

He became Surf City Santa in 2002 while trying to impress his girlfriend at the time, because she had a grandson. He has continued because he finds it so rewarding.

Surf City Santa runs Prusa Marketing when he isn't stopping by homes, businesses, and anywhere else he's invited to spread cheer and joy. We recently caught up with him when he had a few minutes to spare for questions:

Q: Are they all good little boys and girls?

A: Heck no, if they were we'd live in a boring world. Santa loves them all anyway.

Q: How many visits do you make a year?

A: Last season I did 49 visits.

Q: How long does each child spend with Santa?

A: Typically a few minutes.

Q: How do adults react when Santa arrives?

A: Like children.

Q: Do you promise everyone they'll get what they want?

A: I say I'll see what I can do about that.

Q: Do any of the children give YOU gifts?

A: Sometimes an ornament, or a letter, and occasionally they send me off with cookies.

Q: What do you say when you get questions about where the reindeer are?

A: I tell them all that reindeer only join Santa on the flight for delivering toys.

Q: Does Surf City Santa exercise?

A: Currently I walk one mile about three times a week.

Q: What happens if you lose all those jolly Santa pounds?

A: I do work out, but the jolly just seems to linger on me.


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