Saturday, March 27, 2010

KIT HORN (1929-2010)

"Kit Horn passed away yesterday morning [3/26/2010] at age 80. Kit was one of the best, most reliable and unbiased resources of Malibu history of the 1940's. He was a fine surfer and a great guy admired by all. We will miss him." -- John Elwell

Kit's mentioned throughout the LEGENDARY SURFERS collection. To find and read the entries, please go to: LEGENDARY SURFERS Search: KIT HORN

Kit Horn photo courtesy of Tom Keck

If you have a favorite Kit Horn story or memory to share, please leave a comment, below. Make it as long as you need and thanks.

The classic "Kit Horn at Lunada Bay" story Greg Noll told is here: LEGENDARY SURFERS: 1963 - Kit Horn at Lunada Bay

Excellent article on Kit at Ocean Mag: "In Memorium: Kit Horn"

There's also a thread at SURFER, with some additional stories and reminiscences. Please go to: SURFERMAG Community: Kit Horn.

Kit's obit in the NEW YORK TIMES:



( Peter St. Pierre and Kit Horn, 2009 )


A story about Kit Horn from Corky Carroll:

Corky Carroll's SURF'S UP

By

Corky Carroll, Orange County Register Columnist, April 17, 2010


One of the things that is necessary for me to do, but I don't like doing – kinda like paying bills and being responsible for myself – is reporting on the passing of our local surf legends and heroes. Well, this is one of those weeks. Another of our flock has pulled out: the great Kit Horn.

Kit led a very long and fruitful surfing life that dates back to the very beginning of the balsa wood surfboard era. In fact, there is a story that was relayed to me by Tom Morey that indicates that Kit was actually directly involved in the advent of the first balsa wood board.

The story goes that Kit and his buddy Bo Beck were young surf gremmies who used to get rides to the beach with the infamous Bob Simmons, who is credited with being the first to make balsa wood boards, along with other innovations. At the time, which I am thinking had to be the late 1940s or so, the boards were very heavy solid redwood and other combinations of heavy woods. The average board weighed 80 to 150 pounds.

One of the places they used to surf was Palos Verdes Cove. The cove had a long trail down a cliff to get down to the beach, and of course back up afterwards. There was a thing that the locals used to do for fun in those days. The first ones back up the trail would toss rocks at the stragglers coming up the trail. It was all in fun and the rocks were not thrown to hit anybody, just to make it interesting.

These days, they aim for ya and mean it. But back then, there was no localism and everybody was pals. So one day, Kit and Bo got to the top first and Simmons was coming up the trail lugging his huge heavy board, which was not easy as he had one bad arm. Kit and Bo started the rock-tossing game and were laughing their heads off. But one rock, not meant to hit Simmons, glanced off another rock and actually hit him in the shin. This caused him to drop his board, which slid down the cliff and got extremely damaged.

Simmons was red-hot angry. When he got to the car, he didn't say a word, just drove the boys home and dumped 'em off. They did not see Bob or hear a word from him for three months. Then one day, he shows up all smiles and friendly and asks if they wanna go surfing.

All is good and nothing is said about the damaged board incident. The boys are all happy thinking that all is forgotten. When they get to the cove, Bob has a new black surfboard on the car. They all go down to the cove and have a great surf session.

Afterwards, they are all hanging out getting ready for the trek back up the trail. All of a sudden, Simmons grabs his board and literally sprints up the trail to his car. When he gets up there, he starts raining down rocks across the trail so that the boys can only move at a snail's pace, making the chore of lugging their heavy boards even harder.

Simmons is in hysteria, laughing so hard. When they finally get to the top, worn out and sweating, Bob lets 'em in on the fact that his new board is actually made out of balsa wood and only weighs 45 pounds. He painted it black so they couldn't see what it was.

Kit went on to become a great surfer here in California and in the big surf in Hawaii. When I was very young and first riding big waves, I had many sessions surfing with Kit and respected him greatly as one of the best. He would become a top competitor in the senior divisions when surfing contests became big in California and became the top judge from the West Coast.

He represented the United States Surfing Association at the International Big Wave Championship in Peru and other events around the world.

One of my favorite memories of Kit was one freezing-cold rainy day at Huntington Beach. The surf was so big, it was breaking past the end of the pier and there was nobody around. Kit talked me into jumping off the end of the pier with him to ride the stuff.

I don't know what scared me the most, the surf or the jump off the pier. Neither fazed him. He was stoked. In fact, in all of my memories of Kit Horn, he was stoked.

Great guy, great surfer.



And, here's a write up from Brad Melekian:

‘Kit’ Horn, 80: Big-wave pioneer in California

By Brad Melekian, April 12, 2010


On March 26, consummate California surfer and waterman Christopher “Kit” Horn died at his home overlooking the surf in Leucadia. Horn, 80, a renowned surfer who began riding waves in Southern California in the early 1940s, continued surfing until last summer when he fell ill with cancer.

Horn’s surfing legacy will be his pioneering of surf breaks, particularly big-wave surf breaks, in California. Horn was among a legendary group of tough-minded original surfers who sought out and rode big waves in California and on the North Shore of Oahu in the late 1950s and early ’60s. He is famous for having ridden many waves in frigid Central and Northern California waters by himself in the same time period.

“He was known as one of the original big-wave underground guys,” says Matt Warshaw, author of the forthcoming The History of Surfing. “Everyone knew who he was and everyone knew he rode big waves, but he never went in for the big-wave celebrity thing.”

Horn, a lifelong athlete, began riding waves in Santa Monica in 1941, when the sport was primitive and relegated to a small band of surfers up and down the coast. An avid waterman, Horn would dive for abalone and lobster in Santa Monica Bay at a time when he could fill a gunny sack with either in an hour, said his son Brit. While he was committed to riding big waves, Horn, who earned a business degree from USC in the 1950s, where he was a member of the swim team, established a life in San Diego County, raising a family and working in sales.

He continued to surf throughout California through the decades, and Horn will be remembered by those he surfed with more recently for his ability to stay enthusiastic and excited about the sport well into his 70s. Many of the surfers he had ridden waves with in the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s dropped out of the sport as it went through its permutations, but Horn reveled in surfing’s changes.

“He was 40 when the shortboard revolution came around,” Brit Horn said. “And he went with that change. When he was in his 70s, he was riding boards that were under seven feet in length.”

Horn also continued to ride big waves well into his later years. Brit Horn, who lives in Sonoma County, says his father kept a complete quiver of surfboards and always had at least four big-wave “guns.” Brit says he surfed with his father in the notoriously heavy surf at Point Arena in Northern California until his father was 72 or 73.

“I’m 51,” says Brit, a lifeguard and well-respected surfer in his own right. “I surf several days a week, and up until a few years ago, I could say that my dad surfed more than I did. He surfed pretty much every day that there were waves.”

By surfing consistently into his late 70s, Horn became an icon in the North County surfing community, known for his resilience and his enthusiasm for the sport. Locals admired Horn’s ability to surf consistently into his older years.

“A lot of people around him would look to my dad,” Brit Horn says. “A lot of people surfed in the ’60s and ’70s, but stopped. It gave people inspiration. You know, ‘Kit’s still going strong and as stoked as ever.’ ”

Brit says his father’s enthusiasm for the sport came from what he got from riding waves. “Surfing kept him young,” he says. “It keeps all of us young, but my dad had a spirit about him that he got from surfing.”

Horn is survived by his wife, Gwen, and his four children, Pamela Kelso, Lizabeth Lamberty and his sons Kirk and Brit.

18 comments:

  1. Wierd...I was poking around the surfysurfy archives and came across the post with this picture randomly yesterday afternoon. I don't know why but this particular post was one that struck me differently and I remember thinking to myself that I should find out who Kit Horn is...now I know.Very strange that of all the days to look in the archives and come across his post was on the day of his passing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kit is a great man whom we had the honor to know and his family is wonderful. We shared many waves, and send our sincere sympathy. Aloha, Cher and Steve Pendarvis

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  3. Kit was loved by all who knew him, he will truly be missed. Kit always had a kind word and his great sense of humor kept us all in smiles. His loving family will forever have a true Angel on their shoulders. Keep surfing those big ones Kit & thank you for the memories. Love from the McQuiston Family - Donnie, Kym, Cheyne & Chase

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  4. In the spirit of Aloha, fellow surfers, and out of love and respect...Let's bury the story of Kit at Lunada Bay at sea...please consider the source of the story...There are so many bigger stories to tell about our Dad...He was an inspiration to us all. See you in the water, Dad. Your loving daughter,
    Pam Horn

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  5. Kevin KellyApril 13, 2010

    I have shared waves with Kit as long as he has lived in Luecadia,including as big as it can handle at those reefs. He was allways stoked and a good surf buddy.I'm really going to miss him out there but I know he is snaging a set wave outthere somewhere.RIP,Buccaneer.

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  6. Kit's spirit will always live in the lives of those he affected, for he was he was beyond question the most stoked surfer I have ever met, let alone called a friend. I thank God for the insights on life that Kit shared with me, especially on being a father, and the John's family for access to the beach house next to Kit's for all those special years. I can never say enough good things about this man.
    Chuck Burns

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  7. To all the Horn Family…From about 1964 to 1971 I was a local boy in your neighborhood. Kirk and I were friends playing on several youth and high school sports teams together. Mr. Horn and the family made a positive impression on me that holds still today and is passed on to my sons. It is important for me to tell you that I admired the closeness of your family and appreciated how you always made me feel welcome when I was around you. Also I will never forget the surf lessons down at Doheny State Beach before the Dana Point Harbor was built. In a very quiet and non-boisterous way the entire Horn family excelled at everything they did from academics, sports, citizenship, humor and attitude. It amazes me that so many very positive memories come to me from that short seven years long ago. God Bless you Kit Horn and all the family.

    Fight On,
    Donovan Perkins

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  8. I met Kit in the early 70's when he came into my surf shop: Pacific Beach Surf Shop.

    At the time, I had a key to Black's.
    There were many days when Kit, Crazy Jim Fisher, and I were the only ones out at Black's

    I thought I would take-off on about anything there, but Kit made me look like a pussy!

    I NEVER saw him hair out of a wave, and I cannot remember any days we did not go out because it was too big.

    I know when I first took him to Black's we did not wear leashes, and for me, a lost board meant a long swim in, run back to the Mushroom House to paddle out. This was about a 45 minute exercise, minimum, for me.

    If Kit lost his board [rare occurance] he could swim in and paddle back out in about 10 minutes or less. He could even swim better and faster than Jim Fisher - that in my book is pretty darn extraordinary!

    The last time I saw Kit was when he, his kid and I surfed Simmons -

    Naturally, Kit shredded!

    There ain't many of Kit's kind left - and I doubt if the surf world will ever know Kit's kind again!

    I just hope his memory will live on - I know in my world it is!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Brad JacobsApril 26, 2010

    I was friends with Kit's son, Kirk, an excellent surfer in his own right. The Horns took me along on some surf trips with the family down to Trestles, as Kit was a member of the San Onofre Surf Club at a time when any non-member or civilian would get hassled big time by the Marines. We usually would have most of the waves to ourselves.

    Kit was a real waterman, and a very nice, unassuming guy. Didn't get as much press as some of the other guys, but I don't think he sought it out, either. I remember seeing him in a contest at the HB Pier, taking off near the pier, starting out regular-foot on the drop, changing his mind, and then casually switching to goofy-foot and hanging a great bottom turn left. You still don't see many guys doing that or even capable of doing it well!

    Kit was a real gentleman, and it is reflected in the great job he did in raising his family. I remember them all as some of the nicest people you will ever meet. My condolences to them, and my thanks to Kit in taking me on those trips!

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  10. AnonymousMay 01, 2010

    I was married to one of the beautiful Horn daughters in the 70s. At the time, I was a surfer, college student, and lifeguard in San Clemente. I feel compelled to give some story after being part of this wonderful family and getting to know Kit and family so well.
    Kit was a giant of a man, both in surfing and in humanity. Gwen, his loving wife is a beautiful, smart, wonderful woman and an outstanding gourmet cook (I still remember those weekend lamb dinners).
    It is with great sadness to write this, but with jubilation in remembering Kit.
    A couple of Kit Horn stories: (continued in consecutive blogs due to limited character space)
    The Ranch Episodes: In the 70s, Kit put together the classic ranch boat, a 13’ oil derrick run-a-bout skiff with a fast outboard motor. After surfing perfect ten foot waves all day at the Ranch, it was time to head back to the Gaviota Pier lifting wench. Upon arrival we found the coin slot had been filled with resin by the locals, and boats with enough fuel headed to SB Harbor. Those without enough fuel, faced ten foot shore break. Kit, Kirk, Britt, and I watched boat after boat capsize or get crushed in the shore break. Kit decided it was our turn and hit the throttle and put us between two huge waves, riding the back of the front monster right up beach to safety. There was carnage all around us; Kit’s feat was done with flawless precision; as we stepped safely out of the boat and kissed the sand.

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousMay 01, 2010

    Kit Horn story continued:
    Hawaii early 70s: Kit and Gwen treated the family to a classic surf trip. We stayed at Haleiwa but Peter Cole invited us to his house for a party. I was impressionable and stoked to meet some of the Hawaiian legends. Kit made an effort to seat me next to Jose Angel. Because Kit introduced me, Jose starts conversing with me as if I was his best friend. Jose predicted huge surf for the next couple of days. Kit kept introducing me to legend after legend, Gregg, Trent, Martinson etc. etc. That was Kit… always making you feel welcome.
    The next day the surf was building as Jose predicted. During the night, the surf huts we were staying in at Haleiwa began to wash away. Kit loaded the car with surfboards, and we evacuated. Kit stopped at the Haleiwa Harbor to watch the waves go over the breakwater, a rare occasion. During a lull, a woman drove up, parked her car and proceeded to walk her child down to the water line. Kit jumped out of the car and yelled but it was too late as a huge set wave was building outside; by the time Kit got to the women, a wall of water similar to a Tsunami rolled up the beach and the three of them tumbled past the restrooms into the parking lot, with Kit holding on to them so they wouldn’t wash back out. Kit saved their lives, but humbly denied it. I was in awe…only a guy like Kit Horn could have predicted that and taken such quick action. Kit was the ultimate lifeguard and waterman.
    Soon the Kam Highway closed down. Kit knew of a cane road that led to the top of Waimea. Standing overlooking the Bay, sets of waves broke solid from V-land all the way across the Bay. Kit and Kirk estimated the waves to be 40-60 feet! While I was peeing my pants, the Horns were anxious for the Kam to open so they could get to the surf breaks! I was way out of my league and wondered what I got myself into.
    Kit knew I did not have the experience to surf huge waves, so he noticed a small cut on my knee. He said I better stay out of the water till that cut heals up or it might really get infected. I did everything I could to make sure that cut didn’t heal up for a few days! Later, Kit took me to the Pipe and showed me how to catch a few “smaller” six to eight foot waves, which of course pounded the shit out of me.
    Kit was like that; he would help you save face, help you catch a few waves to redeem yourself, and always kind of took people under his wing.
    Kit also backed me up at San Onfre one day when some parole’s hit my freshly painted car with a rock that they threw at the restrooms…but that’s another story about how fearsome Kit could be. The great tales of the real Kit Horn are endless and remarkable. …diving at Kasanelli's Reef, great times surfing Mexico, backpacking barefoot in the Sierras etc. etc.
    No wonder I couldn’t help sobbing uncontrollably at the paddle out. We all lost a surfing legend; I lost a second father and great friend.
    Ken Casper
    PS Please disregard the Lunada Bay story, as it is very offensive to everyone who knew Kit, because it was partially made up to make a good story for the author’s book, at the expense of Kit’s good nature.

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousMay 03, 2010

    I was married to one of the beautiful Horn daughters in the 70s. At the time, I was a surfer, college student, and lifeguard in San Clemente. I feel compelled to give some story after being part of this wonderful family and getting to know Kit and family so well.
    Kit was a giant of a man, both in surfing and in humanity. Gwen, his loving wife is a beautiful, smart, wonderful woman and an outstanding gourmet cook (I still remember those weekend lamb dinners).
    It is with great sadness to write this, but with jubilation in remembering Kit.
    A couple of Kit Horn stories: (continued in consecutive blogs due to limited character space)
    The Ranch Episodes: In the 70s, Kit put together the classic ranch boat, a 13’ oil derrick run-a-bout skiff with a fast outboard motor. After surfing perfect ten foot waves all day at the Ranch, it was time to head back to the Gaviota Pier lifting wench. Upon arrival we found the coin slot had been filled with resin by the locals, and boats with enough fuel headed to SB Harbor. Those without enough fuel, faced ten foot shore break. Kit, Kirk, Britt, and I watched boat after boat capsize or get crushed in the shore break. Kit decided it was our turn and hit the throttle and put us between two huge waves, riding the back of the monster in front right up the beach to safety. There was carnage all around us; Kit’s feat was done with flawless precision; as we stepped safely out of the boat and kissed the sand.

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousMay 03, 2010

    Kit Horn story continued:
    Hawaii early 70s: Kit and Gwen treated the family to a classic surf trip. We stayed at Haleiwa but Peter Cole invited us to his house for a party. I was impressionable and stoked to meet some of the Hawaiian legends. Kit made an effort to seat me next to Jose Angel. Because Kit introduced me, Jose starts conversing with me as if I was his best friend. Jose predicted huge surf for the next couple of days. Kit kept introducing me to legend after legend, Gregg, Trent, Martinson etc. etc. That was Kit… always making you feel welcome.
    The next day the surf was building as Jose predicted. During the night, the surf huts we were staying in at Haleiwa began to wash away. Kit loaded the car with surfboards, and we evacuated. Kit stopped at the Haleiwa Harbor to watch the waves go over the breakwater, a rare occasion. During a lull, a woman drove up, parked her car and proceeded to walk her child down to the water line. Kit jumped out of the car and yelled but it was too late as a huge set wave was building outside; by the time Kit got to the women, a wall of water similar to a Tsunami rolled up the beach and the three of them tumbled past the restrooms into the parking lot, with Kit holding on to them so they wouldn’t wash back out. Kit saved their lives, but humbly denied it. I was in awe…only a guy like Kit Horn could have predicted that and taken such quick action. Kit was the ultimate lifeguard and waterman.
    Soon the Kam Highway closed down. Kit knew of a cane road that led to the top of Waimea. Standing overlooking the Bay, sets of waves broke solid from V-land all the way across the Bay. Kit and Kirk estimated the waves to be 40-60 feet! While I was peeing my pants, the Horns were anxious for the Kam to open so they could get to the surf breaks! I was way out of my league and wondered what I got myself into.
    Kit knew I did not have the experience to surf huge waves, so he noticed a small cut on my knee. He said I better stay out of the water till that cut heals up or it might really get infected. I did everything I could to make sure that cut didn’t heal up for a few days! Later, Kit took me to the Pipe and showed me how to catch a few “smaller” six to eight foot waves, which of course pounded the shit out of me.
    Kit was like that; he would help you save face, help you catch a few waves to redeem yourself, and always kind of took people under his wing.
    Kit also backed me up at San Onfre one day when some parole’s hit my freshly painted car with a rock that they threw at the restrooms…but that’s another story about how fearsome Kit could be. The great tales of the real Kit Horn are endless and remarkable. …diving at Kasanelli's Reef, great times surfing Mexico, backpacking barefoot in the Sierras etc. etc.
    No wonder I couldn’t help sobbing uncontrollably at the paddle out. We all lost a surfing legend; I lost a second father and great friend.
    Ken Casper
    PS Please disregard the Lunada Bay story, as it is very offensive to everyone who knew Kit, because it was partially made up to make a good story for the author’s book, at the expense of Kit’s good nature.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I thought you all might like to know that a 1941 photo-essay about Southern California surfers has just been posted to OldMagazineArticles.com:

    http://www.oldmagazinearticles.com/article.php?Article_Summary=3367#

    ReplyDelete
  15. I was married to one of the beautiful Horn daughters in the 70s. At the time, I was a surfer, college student, and lifeguard in San Clemente. I feel compelled to give some story after being part of this wonderful family and getting to know Kit and family so well.
    Kit was a giant of a man, both in surfing and in humanity. Gwen, his loving wife is a beautiful, smart, wonderful woman and an outstanding gourmet cook (I still remember those weekend lamb dinners).
    It is with great sadness to write this, but with jubilation in remembering Kit.
    A couple of Kit Horn stories: (continued in consecutive blogs due to limited character space)
    The Ranch Episodes: In the 70s, Kit put together the classic ranch boat, a 13’ oil derrick run-a-bout skiff with a fast outboard motor. After surfing perfect ten foot waves all day at the Ranch, it was time to head back to the Gaviota Pier lifting wench. Upon arrival we found the coin slot had been filled with resin by the locals, and boats with enough fuel headed to SB Harbor. Those without enough fuel, faced ten foot shore break. Kit, Kirk, Britt, and I watched boat after boat capsize or get crushed in the shore break. Kit decided it was our turn and hit the throttle and put us between two huge waves, riding the back of the front monster right up the beach to safety. There was carnage all around us; Kit’s feat was done with flawless precision; as we stepped safely out of the boat and kissed the sand.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Kit Horn story continued:
    Hawaii early 70s: Kit and Gwen treated the family to a classic surf trip. We stayed at Haleiwa but Peter Cole invited us to his house for a party. I was impressionable and stoked to meet some of the Hawaiian legends. Kit made an effort to seat me next to Jose Angel. Because Kit introduced me, Jose starts conversing with me as if I was his best friend. Jose predicted huge surf for the next couple of days. Kit kept introducing me to legend after legend, Gregg, Trent, Martinson etc. etc. That was Kit… always making you feel welcome.
    The next day the surf was building as Jose predicted. During the night, the surf huts we were staying in at Haleiwa began to wash away. Kit loaded the car with surfboards, and we evacuated. Kit stopped at the Haleiwa Harbor to watch the waves go over the breakwater, a rare occasion. During a lull, a woman drove up, parked her car and proceeded to walk her child down to the water line. Kit jumped out of the car and yelled but it was too late as a huge set wave was building outside; by the time Kit got to the women, a wall of water similar to a Tsunami rolled up the beach and the three of them tumbled past the restrooms into the parking lot, with Kit holding on to them so they wouldn’t wash back out. Kit saved their lives, but humbly denied it. I was in awe…only a guy like Kit Horn could have predicted that and taken such quick action. Kit was the ultimate lifeguard and waterman.
    Soon the Kam Highway closed down. Kit knew of a cane road that led to the top of Waimea. Standing overlooking the Bay, sets of waves broke solid from V-land all the way across the Bay. Kit and Kirk estimated the waves to be 40-60 feet! While I was peeing my pants, the Horns were anxious for the Kam to open so they could get to the surf breaks! I was way out of my league and wondered what I got myself into.
    Kit knew I did not have the experience to surf huge waves, so he noticed a small cut on my knee. He said I better stay out of the water till that cut heals up or it might really get infected. I did everything I could to make sure that cut didn’t heal up for a few days! Later, Kit took me to the Pipe and showed me how to catch a few “smaller” six to eight foot waves, which of course pounded the shit out of me.
    Kit was like that; he would help you save face, help you catch a few waves to redeem yourself, and always kind of took people under his wing.
    Kit also backed me up at San Onfre one day when some parole’s hit my freshly painted car with a rock that they threw at the restrooms…but that’s another story about how fearsome Kit could be. The great tales of the real Kit Horn are endless and remarkable. …diving at Casanelli’s Reef, great times surfing Mexico, backpacking barefoot in the Sierras etc. etc.
    No wonder I couldn’t help sobbing uncontrollably at the paddle out. We all lost a surfing legend; I lost a second father and great friend.
    Ken Casper
    PS Please disregard the Lunada Bay story, as it is very offensive to everyone who knew Kit, because it was partially made up to make a good story for the author’s book, at the expense of Kit’s good nature.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Barry FrahmJune 06, 2010

    Met Kit in the early 70's at my surf shop in Leucadia.Always very warm and friendly. From time to time Id see him walking along the beach and share a few words. Was saddened to hear of his passing. A true gentleman.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I have tried many times to put "pen to paper" but every time I have broken down.
    Dear Kit;
    There are some men in your life that have a lasting and positive influence on you; you were one of them. A real hero in the water as a big wave pioneer with surfing greats like Buzzy Trent, Greg Noll and the Cole's. Out of the water a super father and friend to many.

    In the early to mid-sixties, as a young teen away from home at surfing contests you were always someone I could count on.

    Later in life when I had my own family you were someone I looked up to as a role model as a husband and father. You were the best.

    When my kids were young you would always provide encouragement to them. My middle son, who shared your given first name, changed his name to Kitt because he knew I how much I admired you.

    You were always a better friend to me than I was to you and I regret not staying in touch with you the last few years of your life.

    I still haven't recovered from seeing the cover of the April/May 2010 issue of Ocean Magazine honoring you in Wahoo's the day of your "paddle out".

    Writing a few words does not ease the pain to me, your many friends and your incredible family.

    I will remember you forever and do my best to be the kind of man you were to my kids and their friends and they will know that I am trying to emulate you.

    I miss you.
    Mark (Livingston)

    ReplyDelete

Mahalo for your comment!