CARDIFF-BY-THE-SEA, Calif. -- A 10News crew was at the scene Tuesday as the paper mache shark erected around the "Cardiff Kook" statue was dismantled by city of Encinitas workers.

The workers arrived at the site around 7:30 a.m. and used hand-saws to dismantle the structure in roughly 10 minutes.

On Tuesday, the man behind the paper mache shark that appeared around the infamous surfer statue known as the "Cardiff Kook" said he created the shark as a joke.

For the third day in a row, stunned Cardiff locals and visitors took in the spectacle.

"I think it's great. This is the best one any one has ever done," Encinitas resident Janice Biddwell told 10News.

Surrounded by 15 feet of paper mache, Cardiff's well-known surfing statue looks as if it's being swallowed up by a shark.

Eric, who wishes to remain anonymous, said he's the artist behind the prank and that evidence of the two-week project is over all over his patio.

"It was just a little bit of fun... other than just having a good time," he said.

The statue called "The Magic Carpet Ride," has been nicknamed by some the "Cardiff Kook" for not looking surfed out enough.

"I think it's a little feminine, but it's done nicely," said Lynn Morales.

Past shenanigans show the statue with a pumpkin head, dressed as Uncle Sam and during the holidays with a Santa hat.

Eric said he did the big wave that appeared last year.

"San Diego needs more public art even if it's not up to everyone's standards or how people perceive it," said Eric.

Artist Matthew Antichevich created the statue and told 10News, "It's very insulting... There's nothing feminine about the statue."

"I think there's two kinds of people in this town: the ones who love the statue and the ones who love to hate it," a resident told 10News.