Yes, that's plural Hobie, not "hobbies".
In my last post I belive I mentioned that both of my parents rode Hobie products back in the day. Maybe that's the best descriptor for it...whatever.
My dad, when he was an early teen (and pics exist, I'm going to see if I can add them later) had an early Hobie Sidewalk Surfer skateboard. Clay wheels and all; although he did later upgrade to urethane wheels. I have vague memories of being a kid (dad might have been under 40) and he could still do a handstand on it. It's a skinny little board, so I was suitably impressed! We lost dad in 2021 to cancer (yeah, fuck cancer, man!) but all these years later, we still have his board. It's actually hanging on the wall next to my desk at home.
Mom was the surfer in the family. In the early 60s, she ordered a 9'4" Hobie surfboard from their store in Santa Cruz. Cost all of about $200 at the time. In her teen years, she frequently surfed first and second peak at Pleasure Point and sometimes Steamer Lane (though, not when it was big, she says). I talked in my last post about some of the memories I have of that board and what's amazing is that it's still hanging in the garage at mom's house waiting for me to have space to bring it home.
To me, it's an absolute family heirloom! She's offered more than once to let me take it out. And I keep telling her that's like letting a brand new driver take out the classic Jaguar XKE! I'll wreck it! I'd rather clean off all the old wax, give it a real good polish, and mount it up at home here.
Why and how these two Hobies managed to stay in our lives for over 60 years, I don't know. But I'm really thankful they did.