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DESCRIPTION: 54-inch high by 36-inch wide by 9-foot long cast bronze life-size statue and sculpture of big wave surfing pioneer Mickey Muñoz depicted on his surfboard in his "quasimodo" surfing stance, mounted on a tapered 4-foot high concrete plinth
This dynamic statue of Mickey Muñoz is based on the iconic photograph taken by John Severson 1 (see below), and depicts the famous surfer, nicknamed "The Mongoose," in his iconic "Quasimodo" 2 stance requiring a full forward bend, hunched head and shoulders, and outstretched arms with curled hands. Muñoz was known for such unconventional, humorous, and highly difficult surfing stances:"We had the mysterioso, the el spontáneo, the el telephono, and others -- all just stupid, spontaneous moves that made us laugh." 3 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 also landed him the role as 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 represents Dana Point's historic surfing and sailing culture in company with nine other statues of famous surfing and watersport athletes, filmmakers, artists, and entrepreneurs. Below is a list of the Watermen's Plaza public artworks.
1, 2, 3 Muñoz, Mickey (2011). No Bad Waves - Talking Story With Mickey Muñoz (1st ed.). Patagonia Books, Patagonia Inc., 259 W. Santa Clara St., Ventura, CA 93001-2717: Patagonia Books. pp. 27, 133–135. ISBN 978-0-9801227-0-1. [N.B.: This first-person narrative by Muñoz includes his chapter titled "The Quasimodo." Severson's publication of his film image of Muñoz's quasimodo stance for the first issue of Surfer magazine mistakenly used the spelling "Quasimoto." (see below)]
This dynamic statue of Mickey Muñoz is based on the iconic photograph taken by John Severson 1 (see below), and depicts the famous surfer, nicknamed "The Mongoose," in his iconic "Quasimodo" 2 stance requiring a full forward bend, hunched head and shoulders, and outstretched arms with curled hands. Muñoz was known for such unconventional, humorous, and highly difficult surfing stances:"We had the mysterioso, the el spontáneo, the el telephono, and others -- all just stupid, spontaneous moves that made us laugh." 3 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 also landed him the role as 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 represents Dana Point's historic surfing and sailing culture in company with nine other statues of famous surfing and watersport athletes, filmmakers, artists, and entrepreneurs. Below is a list of the Watermen's Plaza public artworks.
1, 2, 3 Muñoz, Mickey (2011). No Bad Waves - Talking Story With Mickey Muñoz (1st ed.). Patagonia Books, Patagonia Inc., 259 W. Santa Clara St., Ventura, CA 93001-2717: Patagonia Books. pp. 27, 133–135. ISBN 978-0-9801227-0-1. [N.B.: This first-person narrative by Muñoz includes his chapter titled "The Quasimodo." Severson's publication of his film image of Muñoz's quasimodo stance for the first issue of Surfer magazine mistakenly used the spelling "Quasimoto." (see below)]
LOCATION: Watermen's Plaza, 15 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, California, USA
Muñoz's surfing stance image on Severson's early publication of SURFER magazine (c. 1960)
"Thumb Through SURFER Magazine's Earliest Print Issues". Surfer.
Archived from the original on 2024-08-02. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
WATERMEN'S PLAZA Installations
Hobie Riding the Wave of Success (2018) by Lance Jost and Bill Limebrook
Philip "Flippy" and Walter Hoffman Statue (2025) by Bill Limebrook
Lorrin "Whitey" Harrison (anticipated 2027) by Bill Limebrook
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