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DESCRIPTION: 54-inch high by 36-inch wide by 9-foot long cast bronze statue and sculpture of big wave surfing pioneer Mickey Muñoz depicted on his surfboard in his "quasimoto" surfing stance, mounted on a tapered 4-foot high concrete plinth
This statue of Mickey Muñoz depicts the famous surfer, nicknamed "The Mongoose," in his iconic "quasimoto" stance requiring a full forward bend, hunched head and shoulders, and outstretched arms. He is known for his unconventional, humorous, and highly difficult surfing stances, among them what he called the "misterioso" and the "el telephono."
Muñoz began surfing at age 10 and was among the first surfers to ride Hawaii's Waimea Bay in 1957. He later became known for shaping surfboards, competing professionally, and appearing in surf films and early issues of SURFER Magazine. His surfing ability coupled with his short stature landed him the role as the surfing stunt double for Sandra Dee in the 1959 film Gidget, where he was dressed in a blond wig and 2-piece bathing suit (Surfing Walk of Fame.com).
The statue was unveiled May 14, 2026 at Dana Point's Watermen's Plaza where Muñoz, 88, was honored. It was Bill Limebrook's ninth statue of surfing "greats" -- famous local surfers and surfing artists and entrepreneurs -- to be installed at Watermen's Plaza. Below is a list of the Watermen's Plaza public artworks.
This statue of Mickey Muñoz depicts the famous surfer, nicknamed "The Mongoose," in his iconic "quasimoto" stance requiring a full forward bend, hunched head and shoulders, and outstretched arms. He is known for his unconventional, humorous, and highly difficult surfing stances, among them what he called the "misterioso" and the "el telephono."
Muñoz began surfing at age 10 and was among the first surfers to ride Hawaii's Waimea Bay in 1957. He later became known for shaping surfboards, competing professionally, and appearing in surf films and early issues of SURFER Magazine. His surfing ability coupled with his short stature landed him the role as the surfing stunt double for Sandra Dee in the 1959 film Gidget, where he was dressed in a blond wig and 2-piece bathing suit (Surfing Walk of Fame.com).
The statue was unveiled May 14, 2026 at Dana Point's Watermen's Plaza where Muñoz, 88, was honored. It was Bill Limebrook's ninth statue of surfing "greats" -- famous local surfers and surfing artists and entrepreneurs -- to be installed at Watermen's Plaza. Below is a list of the Watermen's Plaza public artworks.
LOCATION: Watermen's Plaza, 15 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, California, USA
WATERMEN'S PLAZA Installations
Hobie Riding the Wave of Success (2018) by Lance Jost and Bill Limebrook
Phillip "Flippy" and Walter Hoffman Statue (2025) by Bill Limebrook
Lorrin "Whitey" Harrison (anticipated 2027) by Bill Limebrook
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