Tom Gibbons-Fly—a.k.a. Tom Fly or just “The Fly”—died on Sept. 15, 2017, at the age of 61. He was a lifetime Malibu resident and a fixture of the old school Malibu surf scene.
“Tom lived life on his own terms, with an unmatched authenticity and spirit,” a loved one said.
In the 1970s, he was known to every surfer from Ventura to Orange County for his thrice-daily surf reports on KMET radio, broadcast from the Natural Progression surf shop across Pacific Coast Highway near Surfrider Beach, where he worked for many years. “This is ‘The Fly’ from Malibu…” he would announce and the surf world listened. True to his Malibu roots, he was known to downplay the conditions on particularly good days, in the hope that those listening would be drawn elsewhere by more favorable reports from north and south of his city. A character named “The Fly” appeared in the 1978 movie “Big Wednesday,” starring Jan-Michael Vincent, Gary Busey and William Katt. For over 30 years, Tom dedicated himself to living clean and sober, and helping others do the same. In doing so, he helped countless others maintain their own sobriety and rebuild their lives.
Tom is survived by his brother, his nephew Colin, and countless brothers and sisters in spirit from Alcoholics Anonymous. His sister Liza passed away in 2016.
A celebratory beach gathering and paddle-out is planned for Saturday, Sept. 30, at Zuma Beach Tower 14, at the west end of the Zuma parking lot. It will be followed by a potluck in the same location. You do not need a board or to paddle out to participate. All who wish to remember “The Fly” with family and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend.
In honor of Tom’s dedication to sobriety, this will be a no-alcohol event.