In September, we told you about the plans to celebrate company namesake Hobie Alter, inventor of the modern foam-core surfboard and a watersports pioneer, with a life-size bronze statue of Hobie piloting his iconic cat.
Good news! The city of Dana Point, California has pledged up to $200,000 for the installation to be located on Pacific Coast Highway where it neighbors Doheny State Beach – the gateway to the city and only a mile away from Hobie’s original surf shop.
As reported by the Orange County Register, the city will match funds donated by the Hobie Memorial Foundation. The Foundation has raised nearly half of the necessary funding.
The sides of the sculpture will show Hobie following his passions and innovating new ways to have fun in the water: surfing, with a skateboard and shaping a surfboard.
Foundation leader Robbie Roberson told the city council that the city should embrace its surf heritage. “He put us on the map starting with mass-producing surfboards and later developing urethane wheels for skateboards. Having the sculpture at the city’s entrance is like having the Spirit of St. Louis in your front yard,” he said.
