A 90-Year Chincoteague Tradition—and a New Legacy

You might remember Misty, but what about Surfer Dude? “Misty was probably the most famous pony of all,” says Chincoteague Island firefighter Denise Bowden of the mare who was immortalized in Marguerite Henry’s 1947 classic children’s novel and 1961 film. “But Surfer Dude comes in a real close second. He was that iconic stallion. He was a handsome thing.”

Surfer Dude became a favorite for visitors to Chincoteague Island during the annual wild pony roundup and swim, which celebrates its 90th anniversary this week. For twenty-three years, Surfer Dude roamed among the beloved wild ponies of Assateague Island off the coast of Virginia and Maryland. Tall and dark, the stallion bore two striking features: his long, blonde mane and mismatched eyes—one brown and one a vibrant blue. Sadly the famous festival will also mark another milestone this year: the passing of Surfer Dude in May. The volunteer firefighters who tend the ponies found his remains on the Southern end of Assateague and believe he died of natural causes—age and a harsh winter can bring even the strongest horses down. In Surfer Dude’s honor, the statue that stands at the entrance to the carnival grounds has been painted to show the stallion’s iconic golden mane and blue eye.

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