Dana Point Welcomes the Unveiling of Its Newest Statue: Surfing Icon Joyce Hoffman

The unveiling of a statue depicting surfing icon Joyce Hoffman is held at Watermen's Plaza in Dana Point, Calif., on Jan. 27, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

DANA POINT, Calif.—Surfing icon and world champion Joyce Hoffman continued to make her mark on the sport with the unveiling of her statue on Jan. 27, showing her completing a “walking the nose” maneuver atop a longboard.

Hoffman’s family and friends were joined by hundreds of people at the unveiling of her statue, which included speeches by Mayor of Dana Point Joseph Muller and Hoffman’s childhood friends.

Nestled across the road of the Pacific Coast Highway, under the shade of a pedestrian bridge displaying the city name Dana Point, is Watermen’s Plaza, a public space displaying statues that pay tribute to local surfing icons, like Hoffman.

Found among other important icons of the sport, bronzed in life-sized statues, are surf film director Bruce Brown (Endless Summer and Any Given Sunday), surfing entrepreneur Hobie Alter of Hobie Surfboards, and founder of Surfer Magazine John Severson.

The unveiling of a statue depicting surfing icon Joyce Hoffman is held at Watermen's Plaza in Dana Point, Calif., on Jan. 27, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Joyce Hoffman speaks at the unveiling of her dedicated statue at Watrerman's Plaza in Dana Point, Calif., on Jan. 27, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Hoffman, now 75, is considered the first female star of the surfing world.

In 1966 at age 19, she was voted the top female surfer in the world. A year before in 1965, she not only won the Women’s championship surfing contest in Huntington Beach but she was also named Woman of the Year by the Los Angeles Times.

Her competitive spirit in surfing allowed her the opportunity to surf waves all over the world from Hawaii to Peru.

Hoffman is also an award-winning dirt bike Motocrosser, and still surfs her favorite Orange County beaches when she is not working at her family business at Hoffman Fabrics which creates materials for surf brands.

Waterman’s Plaza is adjacent to the Pacific Coast Highway and Del Obispo Street intersection , adjacent to the popular Doheny Beach surfing area.

The unveiling of a statue depicting surfing icon Joyce Hoffman is held at Watermen's Plaza in Dana Point, Calif., on Jan. 27, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)