During the summer of 1950, young Hobart Alter, or Hobie as his friends called him, came up with the idea of combining his love of water with his love of woodworking. Beginning work in the family garage, he began manufacturing nine foot surf boards out of balsa wood. The boards worked well. All of his friends wanted him to build them one.
After a few years of building these boards in the garage, Hobie opened up the first surf shop in Dana Point, California. In 1958, Hobie and his friend Gordon Clark, or Grubby, began experimenting with foam and fiberglass. The new combination was lighter and faster than the balsa wood Hobie had 
been using.
Hobart Alter was born in Ontario, California. His family also spent a considerable amount of time in Laguna Beach, where Hobie spent much of his time with water sports. His imagination and creativity took him to the level of his own business, which blossomed into building catamarans as well as surf boards.
Today, Hobie Surf Boards are still very popular, although they are no longer manufactured strictly by hand. In the 1950′s, all of Hobie’s boards were shaped and finished by hand with much testing to ensure quality and strength. Today, while the same quality and strength goes into each board, the boards are manufactured by machines, but many are still tuned by hand.
Hobie’s sons have taken over the family business and continue to produce an excellent product. In his day, Hobie was a great surfer as well as a great entrepreneur. Today, Hobie’s company manufacturers many surfboards. Boards from the beginning of production are considered collector’s items which will bring a great price should anyone wish to sell.
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