International Surfboard Builders Hall Of Fame Inductee Details
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| Inductee Name Matt Kivlin | Event Year 2005 | Inductee Location | Inductee Contact Kivlin died in 2014, at 85, of complications from heart disease. |
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| Inductee Bio
Elegant regularfoot surfer and boardmaker from Santa Monica, California; often cited as California's best wave-rider in the late 1940s and early '50s; creator of the slouched, knees-together, neatly synchronized "Malibu" surfing style. "He invented what I call performance cruising," next-generation Malibu ace Kemp Aaberg said. "He was gentlemanly, and rode that way, without a lot of yahoo around it."
March 9, 2014 Matt Kivlin, age 85, passed away peacefully at home with his family at his side March 9, 2014 in Novato, CA as a result of heart disease. Matt was a loving husband to his wife Maggi for 55 years. Loving father to Teri, Ashley, Holly and Maria. Grandfather to Erika, Roy, Kelsey and Hailey, great grandfather to baby Beatrice. Matt lived all of his life in West Los Angeles and Santa Monica. He and Maggi moved to Novato to retire and be closer to family. Matt is very well known in the surfing world. In the 1940's after a surfing trip to Hawaii he returned to CA and began designing and building surf boards. With two friends he designed what would become "The Malibu Board," the first balsa surfboard based on the theory of reducing the weight, improving the shape and therefore the maneuverability. Matt was often cited as California's best wave rider in the late 1940's and early 50's. Matt went on to become a well-known architect and builder. He designed more than 200 custom homes in Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica and Marina Del Rey and 80 more in Malibu. Matt had many friends from the sports he avidly participated in. He especially enjoyed surfing, swimming, sailing, wind surfing and skiing. Matt loved to travel. He and Maggi enjoyed many trips to Europe, Canada and Mexico. When his children were young the family enjoyed camping trips to the Sierras, Catalina Island and Mexico. Matt will be sadly missed by his wife and family and all those who had the pleasure of knowing him as a positive, friendly person who was very creative and original in his thinking. A private memorial was held at his home in Novato for immediate family. A celebration of his life will be at a later date. Donations to his memory may be made to the Surfrider Foundation WLA/Malibu Chapter 2629 Main St, Santa Monica CA 90405 or Hospice By The Bay 17 E. Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Larkspur, CA 94939. Published in the Los Angeles Times from July 9 to July 13, 2014 | |||
| For the complete biography, go to: http://encyclopediaofsurfing.com/entries/kivlin-matt | |||
Thanks to: http://encyclopediaofsurfing.com/entries/kivlin-matt for the photo | |||
Links Matt Kivlin - A classic stylist on a surfboard |
