Malibu Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Malibu Historic District
|
|
.jpeg)
Malibu Beach
|
|
 Location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Location in California
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Roughly bounded by Pacific Ocean, Ocean Front Walk from Vicente Terracce to Crescent Bay Park, Bicknell Ave. extending into ocean |
|---|---|
| Area | 160 acres (65 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 100002022 |
| Added to NRHP | January 29, 2018 |
The Malibu Historic District is a special area in Malibu, California. It covers about 160 acres and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 29, 2018. This means it's an important place in American history. The district is found along the Pacific Coast Highway, near the famous Malibu Pier.
Malibu is super important for surfing! It was even named the first World Surfing Reserve in 2010. This area helped make surfing popular, especially between 1945 and 1959. It also played a big part in making surfboards better.
Contents
Malibu's Surfing History
Malibu is famous for its surfing culture. It's not just about riding waves; it's also where surfboards got much better! Between 1945 and 1959, many changes happened that made surfboards lighter and easier to use.
How Surfboards Evolved
A surfer named Bob Simmons was often at Malibu. He was a pioneer, meaning he was one of the first to try new things. Bob started using fiberglass and a special kind of plastic called polyester resin. This made surfboards strong but also very light. His ideas changed how surfboards were made forever.
Other surfers like Joe Quigg and Matt Kivlin also helped. Joe Quigg made a new kind of surfboard for Darrilyn Zanuck. She was the daughter of a famous movie director. This new board was shorter, lighter, and easier to handle. Matt Kivlin then designed a similar board. Together, they made "Malibu Chip" boards. These became very popular because they were so easy to ride. Thanks to Simmons, Quigg, and Kivlin, surfboards became much better for quick turns and cool tricks.
The "Gidget" Influence
Darrilyn Zanuck was one of the first girls to really get into surfing at Malibu. She bought a surfboard and a convertible car. She would drive up and down the coast to learn and practice. She inspired many other young girls to start surfing.
Later, a real-life teenage surfer named Kathy Kohner inspired the "Gidget" stories. These stories were about a teenage girl surfer at Malibu. They became popular novels, movies, and even a TV show. The "Gidget" culture showed how much surfing at Malibu influenced young people across the country.
Why Malibu is a Historic Place
The idea to make Malibu a historic district started in 2015. Michael Blum from a group called "Sea of Clouds" suggested it. The Malibu City Council agreed with the idea. More than 550 people also supported the effort.
The National Register of Historic Places listing means that Malibu's role in surfing history is officially recognized. It helps protect the area because of its important past.
