We learned today from a Scott Hulet story on The Surfer’s Journal that big wave surfer and industry legend Phillip “Flippy” Hoffman died early this morning (November 10, 2010) in Mission Viejo, California. Hoffman had reportedly been battling “unspecified pulmonary issues.” He was 81.
Born in Glendale, California in 1930, Flippy (as the surfing world knows him) was a member of the first wave of California surfers to chase big Hawaiian surf in the 1950s. Along with his roommate, Bob Simmons, Hoffman was the first mainland surfer to take up residence on the North Shore of Oahu. . . Along with his brother, Walter Hoffman, Flippy owned and operated Hoffman California Fabrics, a custom textile house supplying California surf brands.
The Hoffmans are one of the world’s foremost surf families. Flippy will greatly be missed. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Click here for more info.
[Link: The Surfer’s Journal]
