Big Z

Ezekiel "Big Z" Topanga also known as Geek is the uncle of Lani, former professional surfer and one of the deuteragonists (other being Lani) of the 2007 film Surf's Up.

Big Z was originally a famous surfer who one time visited Shiverpool in Antartica and met a young penguin named Cody Maverick a gave him his necklace. Sometime after this, he competed in a surfing contest with another surfer named Tank "The Shredder" Evans, who wiped him out. Realizing that he couldn't compete with Tank and was tired, Z faked a disappearance and became a recluse named Geek. After this a surfing contest called The Big Z Memorial Surf Off was started which was once by Tank nine times.

Ten years after his disappearance, "Geek"'s niece Lani came to him with a now 17-year-old Cody, who had got hurt during a surf off against Tank. After healing Cody, "Geek" teaches him how to make a perfect surfboard. Later Cody and "Geek" discover a shack full of old trophies and surfboards which Cody sees as Z's, before discovering that "Geek" is Z. Cody asks Z to teach him to surf (as he wishes to the part in surf off), which Z reluctantly agrees.

After the training, Cody asks Z to come and watch the surf off, but Z refuses and reveals that he faked his disappearance. Upset that Z just gave up, Cody leaves to take part in the surf off. Z secretly watches the contest and later helps Cody get back to the beach after he wipes out. They learn that Chicken Joe won by default after Cody and Tank got disqualified, but Cody doesn't care about winning and decides to have fun instead. Z reveals himself to the audience and invites them to surf and is joined by Cody and Joe.

He is voiced by Jeff Bridges.

Gallery

Big Z preparing to surf against Tank

Z with his niece Lani and Cody