Hoffman Philip

American big wave surfing pioneer and businessman, nicknamed Flippy, he worked with surfboard designers such as Mickey Munoz, Hobie Alter and Bob Simmons to improve the design of surf boards. In 1953 Hoffman was one of the first surfers to brave the outer reefs of the Oahus North Shore. Hoffman first worked as an abalone fisherman while he was not surfing. In the late 1950s Hoffman helped run the family textile business Hoffman California Fabrics which was integral in creating and manufacturing surf apparel. In the 1980s the aloha shirt worn by Tom Selleck in the TV series Magnum, P.I. was made from Hoffman fabric. It is now in the Smithsonian Institution. Hoffman died at Mission Viejo, California from pulmonary fibrosis complications on 10 November 2010 at age 80. Both he and his brother Walter were honored in the surfing walk of fame in 2006 for their contributions to surf culture. Link to Wikipedia biography Read less