Doc Ball shot more photographic exposures during the pre-war period then anyone.

This earned Doc the status of being the first surf photographer. He shot over 900 pictures in and out of the water in the 1930’s and early 1940’s. He was close friends with Tom Blake who originally inspired Doc to swim in the surf with a camera. Doc shot stills of such a high quality that future photographers including Don James and Leroy Grannis tried to emulate him. Doc’s photography was published worldwide in The Encyclopedia Britanica, National Geographic Magazine, Life Magazine and the London Daily Mirror to name a few. This helped to spread the sport of surfing worldwide.

Doc also documented this era by shooting 16mm movie film which was mostly shot from the water. His films include shots of the top surfers of that period such as Hoppy Swartz, Jim Bailey and Tule Clark.

“Doc Ball ~ Surfing’s Legendary Lensman” is a 43 minute documentary which features Doc’s best movie clips and also his world famous book, California Surfriders. Doc explains what it was like to be one of the first surfers on the mainland. Get an inside look at the Original Palos Verdes Surfing Club and see the female members surf including Mary Ann Hawkins and movie actress Martha Chapin. Check out Doc’s once in a billion film of “Oscar The Surfing Snake”.

“Doc Ball ~ Surfing’s Legendary Lensman” covers Doc’s relationship with the Father of Surfing, Duke Kahanamoku. See never before shown clips of Duke clowning around. Doc details the evolution of surfboard design which includes Tom Blakes contributions to surfing like the skeg and Hawaiian Hollow Board.

Producer/ Director Carl Ackerman worked closely with Doc for seven years on this project. This film includes a breathtaking sequence of 92 year old Ball bombing a hill on his skateboard. This program will be enjoyed by anyone who surfs or would like to learn to surf. Doc is sure to inspire many with his born to surf attitude.

45 minutes
$25 - $5 below retail