Duke Lopez is a legendary surfer of Playa Del Toro who's statue graces the pier.
Lonnie's Van is seen to contain a poster of Duke Lopez beginning in the "Pilot".
In "Surf Legend", Woodie tells Mondo of Duke and how the legend claims he was born to a mermaid and that he was given a magic pair of swim briefs by Poseidon himself and how he was the only one to surf the dangerous "Dongabunga" wave.
After wiping out at a surfing competition, Woodie loses his confidence . In order to get his stoke back, Mondo talks him into surfing "Dongabunga," but needs to enlist the help of legendary big-wave surfer Duke Lopez. Woodie is unaware of his location, but Wadska tracks him down on his computer to Rape County.
Tracking down Duke running a surfing ride for kids, they discover that when he turned pro, he left behind his true love Ms. Teets and gave up surfing when she refused to take him back. Duke expresses no interest in helping Woodie out until he spots him riding his surf machine and realizes he has talent. Mondo promises to help him with Ms. Teets if he'll help Woodie get his stoke back and they agree on it. Thinking that he needs to practice, Woodie is ready to hit the surf but Duke tells him he needs to guild up his confidence instead. through a dangerous series of exercises, Woodie hesitantly agrees to surf but as a final gift, Duke gives Woodie his lucky swim briefs before setting off to meet Ms. Teets. Tricking Ms. Teets by telling her there will be a hot dog eating contest at the pier, she is surprised but pleased to see him and takes him back to her place. The next morning as the Dongabunga approaches, Mondo and Woodie find Duke and Ms. Teets still in bed together. Duke sends them down to the beach and Woodie expresses his confidence thanks to the help of the lucky briefs but Turk rides by and snatches them to take their luck for himself. Feeling down, woodie is reluctant to surf but Duke admits the shorts were a fake to help him gain his confidence and assures him he has all he needs to surf. Duke claims that his real lucky charm was Ms. Teets ad Mondo is Woodie's luck. As the Dongabunga approaches, Turk joins Woodie in the surf but as the wave grows bigger and bigger, Turk bails and runs in panic, leaving Woodie to successfully surf the Dongabunga. Duke is ready to settle down with Ms. Teets but she claims he isn't enough for her but promises to call when she wants some of him. Mondo and Woodie offer their condolences but Duke departs pleased with what he has accomplished.