The original "Gidget," Kathy Kohner-Zuckerman, 70, show photos to children of her surfing during "Wake Up With The Waves" at the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday, October 15. 2011 The children's interactive concert series are held every Saturday morning at 9AM through October 29, 2011. Kathy Kohner-Zuckerman was the real life inspiration for the fictional character of Franzie (nicknamed Gidget) from the 1957 novel, Gidget: The Little Girl with Big Ideas, written by her father Frederick Kohner.