By Jim Shilander
Friends and admirers of the late Hobie Alter are working to provide a permanent memorial to the late surf and outdoor sports icon.
Robbie Roberson, a longtime Dana Point resident and employee of Alter’s told the Dana Point Arts and Culture Commission July 15 that the impact Alter had, not just on the ocean sports world, but on Dana Point, was enough to deserve a tribute in the city.
Lance Jost, the sculptor who hopes to build the project, told the board that his proposed sculpture would include a 6-foot to 6-and-a-half foot tall base, the sides of which would include photographs of Alter’s contributions to different aspects of ocean sports. The sculpture sitting on top of it, he said, would be of Alter riding a Hobie Cat, his world-famous sailboat, on a wave. Jost said the sculpture would be done in bronze but that natural acids would be used to help bring out color. Since the Hobie Cat and other Hobie products were so identified with color, this was important, he said.
Roberson said he and others are currently working to raise funds for the project. During the presentation, the group included three potential locations, including near the current Hobie store on Pacific Coast Highway, near the new Lantern District along Del Prado sign or near the pedestrian bridge on Pacific Coast Highway, in order of preference.
Discussion about this post