Mickey Munoz, nicknamed “The Mongoose,” born in New York City 1937, is one of the early pioneers of surfing and is most famous for his work as a surfboard shaper. Munoz, a noted historical figure in the surfing world and winner of the first 1965 Tom Morey Timed Noseriding Championships in Ventura, CA, has been featured in many popular surfing documentaries such as the 2004 film Riding Giants and Chasing Dora. Munoz graduated from Santa Monica High School and was part of the early surfing scene at Malibu, CA. He was also present on June 27, 1956 when a young lady showed up on the beach and surf, and Terry “Tubesteak” Tracy nicknamed her “Gidget.” Later he was hired as the stunt double for Sandra Dee in the 1959 Gidget movie. In 1957 Mickey was one of the first Californians to ride Waimea Bay, which helped open the door to popularize Hawaii’s famous north shore, and usher in modern big wave riding. He also developed a popular stance while surfing that became known as the “Quasimoto,” a classic crouching position on the nose of the surfboard, head down with arms outstretched in opposite directions. Mickey continues to surf, design and shape state-of-the-art surfboards– short, long and including stand-up-paddle boards. He has recently written a book, “No Bad Waves,” published through Patagonia, a noted clothing company. He currently resides in Capistrano Beach, CA and designs his model boards manufactured and marketed by C4 in Hawaii. http://www.www.mickeymunoz.com
