About the Author

“Trapper” Dan Santoro (on the right) first visited Fort Lauderdale Beach for Spring Break ’79 and he returned the following 2 years as well. He knew that someday after graduation, he would make the area his permanent home.

Dan visited the area twice more and finally moved to “Fort Liquordale” in 1986. He quickly immersed himself in the wild nightclub scene, working and making friends with dozens of like-minded individuals and vacationers while soaking up the sun and history of the city. 

After the death of the Godfather of Spring Break “Crazy Gregg” Newell (in the bananas) in 2003, Dan was challenged by his beach friends to write the ultimate history of one of America’s hottest destinations in the latter half of the 20th century. And so he did.

Surf’s up!