Hobie Alter

Hobie Alter

Hobie Alter and the Rise of Modern Surfboards

Hobie Alter revolutionized surfing through innovative tools, materials, techniques and finishes for surfboards, including:

First building constructed for the purpose of manufacturing and retailing surfboards. Hobie’s Dana Point surf shop was built in 1953 and opened early in 19541

First to perfect shaped foam boards2 (1958)

First commercially successful polyurethane foam surfboard design3 (1958)

First to use flat weave cloth4 (1959)

Hobie was the industry leader in surfboards for the next 12 years, selling up to 6,500 boards annually during the mid-60s5

Interesting Fact: Hobie Alter made the Guinness Book of World Records by surfing the wake of a motorboat 26 miles from Long Beach to Catalina Island 6 (1964)

[1] http://www.killerdana.com/killerdana/dept.asp?s_id=0&dept_id=3310

[2] “In Trim: Hobie Alter”, Scott Hulet, Long Board Magazine, August 1977

[3] http://www.legendarysurfers.com/surf/legends/ls09.shtml

[4] “In Trim: Hobie Alter”, Scott Hulet, Long Board Magazine, August 1977

[5] Matt Warshaw, The Encyclopedia of Surfing, 2003

[6] http://www.surfline.com/surfaz/alter_hobie.cfm

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