Malibu Surf Legend Randy ‘Crawdaddy’ Miod Honored After Tragic Death
One year ago, a Malibu surf legend died.
During the apocalyptic Palisades Fire – which devastated the communities of Pacific Palisades, Topanga, and Malibu, taking 12 lives and thousands of homes – Randy “Crawdaddy” Miod perished from the inferno while inside his house, a red shack affectionately dubbed the “crab shack” on Pacific Coast Highway. He was 55 years old.
The local surf community mourned an icon. And now, following Miod’s death, the Malibu City Council has honored the fallen with the inaugural Malibu Surf Legend Award.
Officially, the award was bestowed (posthumously) on December 8th, 2025. However, The Malibu Times recently reported on the newly-formed honor, an accolade that was campaigned for by Miod’s longtime friend, Chris Wizner.
“History was made,” Wizner remarked. “The Malibu Legend of the Year Award marks the first time the city has officially honored the very sport that put Malibu on the map.”
Related: Malibu Surf Legend Randy “The Craw” Miod Perishes in Fires
Remembering his friend, Wizner continued:
“Randall Miod, the inspiration behind this award, was like a brother to me. He was lost in the Palisades while trying to save his cat. Randall lived the endless summer every day. He was a constant presence at Surfrider Beach — an incredible surfer with a distinctive crawl-like stance, which earned him the nickname ‘Crawdaddy.’”
Following Miod’s passing, other members of the Malibu surf community remembered their fallen friend. Back in May, a memorial paddle-out was held at Surfrider Beach. Additionally, Ventura-based surfboard shaper, Todd Proctor, reminisced:
“If you had the experience of knowing the Craw, you would know a pure, childlike soul that always lived life full tilt, kept you on your toes, kept you laughing, and who always left the door to his beloved ‘Shack’ at the beach open to his friends…unless it was early in the morning…then you might get yelled at and something thrown at you. Craw brought people together everywhere he went. But home base was his eclectic old red panel wood house across from Carbon Canyon where there was always something happening…and usually quite loud.”
With surfing inherent in Malibu’s DNA, the Surf Legend Award is a way to honor the iconic wave-riders of this historically significant wave-riding community for years to come.
Rest in peace, Randall “Crawdaddy” Miod.
Related: Legends We Lost: Surfing Icons Who Kicked Out in 2025
This story was originally published by Surfer on Jan 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Surfer as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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