Zeke Topanga

## Big Z

**Big Z**, also known by his alter ego "**Geek**", was the uncle of Lani Aliikai, a legendary surfer and the co-protagonist of the 2007 documentary movie *Surf's Up*.

He is voiced by Jeff Bridges.

## Appearance

Geek is an obese emperor penguin with feathers for hair and a big head accompanied by yellow pupils with brown eyes and a long beak, he has a round stomach with Hawaiian flower tattoos.

During his prime as Big Z his physique was far more athletic. He was noticeably taller than other penguins and had a large upper body, although was relatively less buff than Tank.

## Personality

Big Z Is an open-minded, sympathetic, stocky, laid-back, nice, kind-hearted, collected, calm, friendly, larger-than-life, legendary guy who is one of the main characters in the 2007 documentary film surf's up, he is one of Cody Maverick's closest friends and Lani Allikai's Uncle. two years before the events of the movie, big z went into hiding and avoided social interaction after a horrific accident during one of the island's famous surf opens. confused and scared for him, Lani tried to get him out of his tree home for ten years. When the tenth year came, he finally came out of hiding and decided that he needed to "take in the island air" as he puts it, he did not know Cody was trying to let him know it was him and simply ingnored it.

## Biography

### Early life

When he was young, Big Z was originally a legendary Surfer. He had a close bond with his niece Lani Aliikai since her childhood.

Big Z made various tours, and once made a visit to Shiverpool, Antarctica; all the penguins of Antarctica admired him. He met a young penguin named Cody Maverick and gave him his necklace.

Sometime after this, competed in a surfing contest with his old-rival named Tank ''The Shredder'' Evans, who wiped him out. Realizing that he couldn't complete with Tank and was tired to be a surfer, Big Z faked his death and became a chamán of the Pen Gu Island named Geek. The Big Z Memorial Surf Off was created in his honor, which was won by Tank nine times in a row.

### Surf's Up

When Cody Maverick challenged Tank to a surfing duel, Cody was knocked out by a wave and landed on Ivan's poisonous spines. Lani transported Cody to Geek's cabin, knowing that Zeke could cure the poison.

Cody eventually discovers Geek's true identity as Big Z. Geek trains Cody in the ways of surfboard construction and surfing. Geek eventually learns about Cody's ambition to win the upcoming Big Z Memorial Surf-Off, which Geek opposes due to his tragic past with surfing.

When the Surf-Off starts, Geek secretly watches the contest from behind some foliage. Geek roots for Cody during the Surf-Off, although is noticeably annoyed by Reggie Belafonte's attempt to make Cody a celebrity. When he sees Cody enter The Boneyards, Geek rushes to help save Cody from the hazardous rocks. Everyone at the Surf-Off witnesses Geek's rescue of Cody and the audience soon recognizes that Geek is Big Z. Geek then celebrates by hosting a casual beach party for everyone, where Geek and Cody experience tube-riding.

### Surf's Up 2: WaveMania

Big Z are not seen in the film's 2017 sequel Surf's Up 2: WaveMania. He was mentioned by Mr. McMahon who explains that Big Z always said Pen Gu breeds great surfers Which is the main reason why they came to Pen Gu Island to find a new member for The Hang 5.

## Trivia

* For reasons that are unknown, Z is not seen in the film's 2017 sequel *Surf's Up 2: WaveMania*.
* Cody never noticed that Zeek's tattoos (or birthmarks) are identical to Big Z's.