Bronze statues of Walter, Flippy Hoffman next for Waterman’s Plaza

A bronze statue of Dana Point surfers Walter and Philip “Flippy” Hoffman will join the Waterman’s Plaza in Dana Point, adding to the collection of icons honored for their early-era contributions to the sport of surfing.

The duo will join surf champion Joyce Hoffman, Walter’s daughter, who earned a spot last year at the plaza located across from Doheny State Beach.

The collection of life-size bronze statues gives a nod to the city’s surf innovators, champions, artists and industry leaders who have had an “immense impact locally and worldwide,” city officials said in announcing the newest additions.

The first statue to go up in 2018 was of surfboard shaper and inventor Hobie Alter, who revolutionized both surfing and sailing with his designs. He was followed by surf champion and stylemaster Phil Edwards, Surfer Magazine founder John Severson, filmmaker Bruce Brown, and Hoffman, a women’s surf champion in the ’60s and ’70s.

Many of the inductees, including the Hoffmans, lived a laid-back life along Beach Road in nearby Capistrano Beach, with the ocean as their playground and a place where they tested designs and innovations in the surf.

Walter and Flippy Hoffman ran Hoffman Fabrics, supplying clothing companies with tropical prints and fabrics that became synonymous with surf wear.

“It is thrilling to recognize these pioneers who made a name for themselves and influenced the look of the surf industry,” Mayor Mike Frost said in a statement.

The brothers added to the legacy of the surf culture and history of Dana Point, he said. “I look forward to seeing their likeness in Waterman’s Plaza as we continue to build a truly iconic destination focused on the people who have made Dana Point so special.”

The Hoffman brothers were among a group of adventurous mainland surfers to venture to Hawaii and other exotic islands to take on big waves and explore.

“They were not only renegade surfers, but were also accomplished divers and spear fishermen,” the city’s biography of the brothers said. “As real explorers, they were also among the first to scout the coast of Baja, looking for surf spots and diving opportunities, and trailblazed surfing and diving in Bali and the Marshall Islands.”

The brothers eventually took over their father’s business, Hoffman California Fabrics, and pioneered the Hawaiian-infused aesthetic of California surf clothing as the primary textile provider to the surf wear industry, supplying big brands such as Ocean Pacific, Quiksilver, Gotcha, Billabong and O’Neill.

Their iconic prints are having a resurgence. Surfwear brand Roark recently launched “Aloha from Japan” with five limited edition pieces inspired by a series of vintage 1970s fabrics originally printed in Japan and later discovered at the Hoffman print house.

Flippy Hoffman died in 2010, while Walter Hoffman still calls Beach Road home. They were both inducted into the Surfing Walk of Fame in Huntington Beach in 2006.

Like all the other statues, their likeness will be recreated by artist Bill Limebrook, with an estimated completion by February 2025.

Infinity Surfboards founders and tandem champions Steve and Barrie Boehne will be the next surfers to see their statues erected, with an unveiling planned for October. Exact dates have not been announced.

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