The bird from the 2007 animated film Surf’s Up is a young penguin named Cody Maverick. Cody is the main protagonist of the film, which follows his journey to compete in his first big surfing competition, The Big Z Memorial Surf Off on Pen Gu Island. Though a penguin, Cody has a passion for surfing and dreams of becoming a legendary surfer just like his hero, the late champion surfer Big Z.
About Cody Maverick
Cody Maverick is an adolescent penguin who was born and raised in Shiverpool, Antarctica. From a young age, Cody was transfixed by stories of the renowned surfer Big Z and became determined to become a champion surfer himself. This was despite the fact that most penguins did not surf, instead spending their time swimming and fishing. Cody was considered an oddity and outcast among other young penguins for his unusual interest in surfing.
Personality and Characteristics
Cody is most distinguished by his independence, determination, and tendency to swim against the tide. Unlike most other penguins, Cody thinks for himself and sticks to his dreams of surfing stardom regardless of what others think. He has ambition beyond his small Antarctic hometown and is convinced he can make his mark as a surfing legend.
In terms of personality, Cody is energetic, plucky, brave, and more than a little cocky at times. He is an optimist who throws himself into challenges, fueled by self-belief and his love of surfing. Though still somewhat young and naïve when we meet him in Surf’s Up, his passion and dedication to the sport are clear from the start.
Physical Appearance
As an adolescent penguin, Cody has the typical physique of an upright-standing penguin. He has black and white feathers, a yellow beak that curves downward, and orange feet. His eyes are green. One distinctive physical trait is the spiky, ruffled head feathers Cody styles to represent his unconventional attitude compared to other penguins. He also wears a red and green necklace around his neck.
In terms of size, Cody is average for a young penguin. He stands about 2 feet tall. His streamlined body shape and powerful flippers make him an adept swimmer and suit him for riding waves.
Cody’s Passion for Surfing
Ever since hearing the legends of Big Z, Cody Maverick dreamed of becoming a surfing champion. He was enthralled by stories of Big Z’s adventures riding the biggest waves and inspired by footage of the surfing icon in his prime. While Antarctic waters were not ideal for surfing, Cody practiced relentlessly, floating on his back and pretending to ride waves. He worked obsessively to improve his swimming technique so that one day he could handle real waves.
Cody learned what he could about surfing from a worn old surf magazine and from a wise elder penguin named Geek who once surfed with Big Z. Through practice and determination, Cody gained confidence in his surfing abilities, becoming the best surfer around his home waters. He yearned to test himself against real waves and real competition.
Leaving Home
When Cody heard about The Big Z Memorial Surf Off competition happening at Pen Gu Island, he knew it was his chance to finally show his skills. Overcoming his family’s apprehension, Cody decided to leave Shiverpool and travel to Pen Gu Island to compete, chasing his dream of becoming a surfing star. His conviction reflects his courageous spirit and willingness to venture into the unknown to achieve his goals.
Arriving on Pen Gu Island
Though Cody shows tenacity in traveling solo across the ocean to reach Pen Gu Island, he is still a newcomer, met with indifference by other competitors. Eager to fit in, Cody exaggerates his experience until he is found out. After a humiliating first surfing encounter with famous pro Tank “The Shredder” Evans, Cody considers giving up. However, with encouragement from ageing surf guru Geek and newfound friend Lani, Cody decides to stay on and keep pursuing his dream. He starts training for the contest, gaining technique advice from Geek and a deeper appreciation of the spiritual side of surfing.
Cody in The Big Z Memorial Surf Off
Cody’s determination is tested in the climactic surfing competition honoring Big Z. Up against surf legends and the bullying Tank, the odds seem stacked against Cody. However, recalling Big Z’s words that “a true surfer never gives up”, Cody perseveres even after a rocky start.
Highlights of Cody’s Performance
– Cody stuns everyone by deciding to surf in the large 50 ft tidal wave known as the “Boneyard” that other competitors avoid. This shows his bravery and skill.
– After wiping out, Cody remembers Geek’s advice and studies the waves to understand their pattern and flow before remounting his board.
– Cody executes an incredible aerial maneuver called the “1080 spin” for the first time after studying tapes of Big Z. The crowd goes wild seeing Cody ride the huge tube.
– Near the end of his run, Cody wipes out again but makes his way through the treacherous inside of the crashing wave, flipping and diving through the churning chaos before emerging back out. This death-defying ride seals Cody’s status as a true surfing warrior.
Final Results
By competing with heart against the towering Boneyard wave, Cody earns the respect of his fellow surfers. Although the surf veteran Tank Evans takes first place, Cody secures second, achieving his goal of making his mark at his first surf competition. For Cody, earning the friendship of Geek and Lani and realizing that surfing is about the journey, not just winning, is as much of a victory as his contest performance.
Cody’s Legacy
Despite his rookie status, Cody Maverick’s heroic surfing at The Big Z Memorial Surf Off cements him as the next generation’s surfing icon. He fulfilled his goal of honoring Big Z’s legacy and brought pride to his obscure hometown of Shiverpool. Cody’s tale inspires other would-be underdog surfers to follow their dreams.
Beyond Surf’s Up, Cody Maverick remains one of animation’s most iconic surfing penguins. His passion, perseverance, and heart enable him to leave his mark in the surfing world by the film’s end. Though still at the start of his career, Cody’s adventurous spirit ensures many more exciting surfing showdowns and waves lie ahead of him.
Film | Surf’s Up |
---|---|
Directed by | Ash Brannon, Chris Buck |
Produced by | Christopher Jenkins |
Written by | Lisa Addario, Christian Darren |
Starring | Shia LaBeouf, Jeff Bridges, Zooey Deschanel |
Music by | Mychael Danna |
Release date | June 8, 2007 |
Running time | 85 minutes |
Box office | $149 million |
About Penguins
While Cody Maverick is an animated penguin character, he exhibits many behaviors and physical traits drawn from reality:
Real Penguin Facts
- Penguins are flightless birds that live exclusively in the southern hemisphere.
- Most penguin species live in Antarctica and the cold coastal regions of southern continents.
- Penguins spend around half their time in water and half on land.
- The black and white coloring provides camouflage from predators in the ocean.
- Penguins can dive over 500 meters deep and stay underwater for nearly 22 minutes.
- Most penguins live in large breeding colonies and engage in unique social behaviors.
- Parents take turns caring for eggs and hunting for food.
- Penguins use a special gland above their eyes to filter excess salt from their blood.
- The emperor penguin is the tallest species, standing nearly 4 feet tall.
- Penguins cannot fly but are excellent swimmers and use their flippers to ‘fly’ through the water.
Penguin Habitats
Different penguin species are adapted to different climate zones:
- Antarctic penguins – Emperors, chinstraps, Adélies, gentoos, and macaronis. Live on Antarctica itself and islands along the Antarctic Peninsula.
- Temperate penguins – Royal, erect-crested, Snares, Yellow-eyed. Live in New Zealand, Australia, South America, and South Africa.
- Tropical penguins – Galapagos penguins. Live along the Galapagos Islands near the equator.
Penguin Diet
Penguins are carnivores that primarily feed on fish, krill, squid, and other seafood they catch while swimming. Their swift swimming and excellent underwater vision make them adept marine hunters. Penguins will also sometimes eat small crustaceans and cephalopods. Their sharp, backward-curving beak allows them to easily grab slippery prey.
Threats to Penguins
Major threats facing penguin populations today:
- Overfishing of food sources
- Oil spills
- Climate change
- Habitat destruction
- Predators such as leopard seals and killer whales
Many penguin species are decreasing in number and classified as vulnerable or endangered. Conservation efforts aim to protect penguins by safeguarding breeding colonies and monitoring population trends.
Conclusion
Cody Maverick, the surfing penguin protagonist of the animated film Surf’s Up, displays many typical penguin characteristics while also showing a unique daring personality in pursuing his unlikely surfing dreams. By leaving his Antarctic home for tropical Pen Gu Island and competing against much more experienced surfers, Cody demonstrates tremendous spirit. His passion for surfing ultimately earns him respect and sets him on the path to achieve his goals of honoring his hero, Big Z, and becoming a surfing legend in his own right. Though a fictional character, Cody’s journey shares many parallels with real-life penguins’ amazing adaptations to their ocean environments.