Post by Admin on Jan 17, 2013 16:00:59 GMT -5
John R. Fulton, known as "The Surfing Santa," waves a final goodbye to onlookers on the Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada shoreline of the Niagara River, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2002, before he windsurfed to Buffalo, N.Y.
ROBERT KIRKHAM/The Associated Press
For the first time in 28 years, surfing Santa won’t have to look over his shoulder and worry about Johnny Law.
Fort Erie resident John Fulton is better known as surfing Santa. Every year he takes to the Niagara River and windsurfs between Buffalo and Fort Erie.
He’s had a few run-ins with the law over the years, but now the event has the blessing of the US Border Patrol, which will have a boat out on the water just in case something does go wrong.
During his surf last year, a snapped sail left Fulton without the ability to stay afloat and he was scooped up by the patrol boat. It was during the boat ride back to shore that Fulton and the border agency began discussing making it an officially sanctioned event.
“It will make things a lot more convenient,” said Fulton, who recalled the time he was arrested by border patrol during a previous surf. “It’s pretty neat that they are on board with the event now.”
The whole thing began as a way to promote a windsurfing school, and while that venture is no longer operating, Fulton has continued on and uses the event to raise donations and awareness for a host of charities including the Pathstone Foundation, Community Care St. Catharines and Thorold, and the YWCA.
Fulton will be setting sail on Dec. 23 this year, and with winds expected to be around 25 km/h, he’s looking forward to a strong surf when he sets out from Service Road 4 near the Niagara Parkway.