Hobart "Hobie" Alter started out by shaping surfboards by hand in the 1950s, and little did he know that his work would make such a mark on surf culture. His love of the woodshop and the water developed into a passion for supplying surfers with the best possible gear, and Hobie's artistic vision and business sense led him to open a surfboard shop in Southern California, sponsor a surf team, and eventually to create a line of surf and beach-related apparel. Hobie Swim and Sportswear began in 1966 and continues to appeal to denizens of the active beach lifestyle. Offering innovative products at consumer friendly prices, Hobie Swim makes equipment and clothes that are guaranteed make a splash in and out of the water.