Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Hobie Alter

Hobart "Hobie" Alter is probably best known for his work with foam and fiberglass surfboards in the late 1950s and early '60s. But, he didn't stop there. Surf writer Scott Hulet noted in a 1997 profile of Hobie for Longboard magazine that in addition to being a good surfer, tandem rider and shaper, "Hobie's genius hinged on invention, experimentation, and follow-through."




Hobie Alter links:


Sunday, July 01, 2012

Early Japanese Surf History

As with most all areas of the planet, Japanese surfing began with the use of the body board (a.k.a. "belly board").

Image circa 1911.

Recently, some valuable research into early Japanese board surfing has been done by Nobby. Some great shots at his site, Nobby Wood Surfboards.


Misaki circa 1918.

Appreciations go out to Big Fish at Wooden Surfboards for passing this important info on.