Press Release: SURF MONKEY TURNS 50!

It’s true, the Surf Culture Icon reaches half a Century.

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The past year has marked the 50th anniversary of Woodstock, the Moon Landing, and Sesame Street. Joining this impressive list is one of surf culture’s most beloved icons, the Tijuana Surf Monkey.  This twelve inch tall, plaster-of-paris, irregularly painted statuette first appeared in the San Ysidro border lines during the early 1970s as street vendors hawked them to passing tourists.  Many a gringo returning from their surf trip, tourist jaunt, TJ bar run or mission trip came home with one of these in the back seat.

But, where did they originate?

And who created them?

These are questions the fine team of history detectives here at Surf Monkey Fellowship have asked for over a decade. After tireless research, a bit of good fortune, and exploration that led from various locations in Baja to Portland Oregon to a northern L.A. suburb,          WE FOUND THE GUY!

But more of that later…

 

Road Trippin’ with Chango

It’s time to hit the highway with your Surf Monkey. Share the love, send your pics to surfmonkeyfellowship.com and we’ll post em.
IMG_0599Here’s Chango in Holbrook Arizona.

Chango in a Holiday Commercial!

Chango has obviously had some acting experience and really steals the show, as you shall see in this holiday commercial.

This lovely specimen was sent from Surf Monkey Fellowship to North Carolina after the producer of the commercial begged the prop person to “find me a Surf Monkey!” Fortunately, they found us. Thanks North Carolina for spreading some monkey love in the East.

http://www.nc-educationlottery.org/video.aspx?v=YTVID&vid=83-vfROZOxM

Merry Christmas

May your hearts be warm, even if your backyard is not quite as sunny.

monkey xmas1

One Thankful Monkey

Grateful for you all!

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We Miss Doc

November 10the marks the one year anniversary of surf legend Doc Paskowitz’s passing.

Doc left practicing medicine to become a professional surfer and founded a surf camp run by his family. Many refers to his family as the “First Family of Surfing.”

We miss you Doc!
doc paskowitz copy

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Seahawks and SurfMonkeys

Yeah, we don’t just surf you know!  Happy SuperBowl y’all!

(Thanks for the awesome pic and paint job Carrie!!)seahawks monkey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Abominable Surf Monkey

Merry Christmas dear Monkey Friends!

(thank for the pic Jilly C!)
abominable surf monkey

More MonkeyShines

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5g1KtTdtG0 

 

 

 

Isn’t it Time to Replace your Husband/Boyfriend’s Surf Monkey?

You know, the one you stuck in the garage when you first started dating.  The one that somehow disappeared and you have no idea what could have possibly happened to it.

I mean really, what would make him happier this Christmas?

And you might even fall in love with this little guy too!  It’s time:

Replace Monkey Here.

surf monkey spring '11 103