The Kook

Few people call it by its original name, "The Magic Carpet Ride", but instead affectionately or not-so-affectionately refer to the towering surfer in Cardiff-by-the-Sea as "The Kook". The spritely surfer has held court at the corner of Highway 101 and Chesterfield since 2007, watching over the San Elijo Campgrounds and the myriad of walkers, runners, and bikers that pass by him every day. He looks serene and graceful, as he calmly rides his imaginary waves. Of course, therein lies the issue that sparked controversy and cultivated a culture of playful vandalism for the last six years and counting.

The Controversy
The surfing statue was originally commissioned by the Cardiff Botanical Society, and sculpted by Matthew Antichevich. It was installed in 2007 and immediately received negative reviews. Locals complained that its stance did not depict how an experienced surfer would look, hence its nickname of the Kook, slang for a poor or wannabe surfer. For a town smack in the middle of San Diego's surfing community, it was considered by some to be an insult.

What many people don't know is that we are looking at an incomplete representation of what Mr. Antichevich envisioned for his Magic Carpet Ride. He described the positioning of the Kook, errr, I mean surfer, as a "backside floater", which could only be apparent with the addition of an actual sculpted wave to the statue. Alas, as all too often is the case, the project ran out of money, so the surfer was installed sans wave, an incomplete picture in the mind of the artist. Unknowingly, the "vandals" of north county have been working to complete the statue ever since, and the Kook has become a constantly evolving community project.



Hardly a weekend goes by without the Kook emerging in some ridiculous outfit or another. Sometimes it's the celebration of a birthday or a holiday, advertising some local event or cause, or sometimes for no reason at all other than that he is there. Quite frankly, I consider the Kook to be almost naked when he doesn't have a sign hanging form his arm or a funky hat perched on his head. Without his eclectic garb he looks lonely and solitary, something hard to be when you are a surfer in some of the popular and crowded beaches of San Diego.



The Best of the Best.
It's no question that there have been some amazing displays on the Kook. But in my mind, there was one that really upped the ante. Back in 2010, it began merely as a few paper mache fins that had been placed around the Kook. Each day, they were moved a bit closer, and then one day...

photo courtesy of: http://www.thecardiffkook.org/blog/eaten-by-shark-kook/

It rocked North County. It was on the news, cars stopped, people took pictures, it was amazing. Since then, the "culprits" have struck again, turning the scene into a prehistoric diorama, complete with pterodactyl about to fly off with the Kook himself.

The Culture 
The Kook has further permeated the culture of Cardiff by the Sea, not only with websites chronicling the almost weekly get ups of the Kook, but you can even purchase a calendar of the Kook and enjoy a new picture of the Kook each month.

Additionally, the Kook has inspired an annual 5K costume run (usually falling on Superbowl weekend), which also includes a more competitive 10K race. Both races have spectacular views as participants run both up and down the coast along Highway 101. Runners dress up in costume, sometimes mimicking past costumes that Kook himself has been clothed in, while for some there's no rhyme or reason to the costume, other than that it's fun! In addition to awards for those that run fast, there are awards for the best costume, both individual and groups. All in all, it's a great event celebrating a unique landmark in North County.

Sources and More Information 
http://thecardiffkook.org/
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiff_Kook
http://www.cardiffkookrun.com/