In 1985 Carl Ackerman was in a jeep accident in Baja Mexico which knocked him unconscious for five days and put him in a rehabilitation hospital for nine months. After three operations he regained partial use of his left arm even though his radial nerve was severed which controls the muscles to the hand. The doctors told him that he would never be able to surf again.

While recovering in the hospital, a friend took Carl to a church where he met and was hired by a Christian Television Producer. Carl worked as a television cameraman and decided to pursue this career rather than finishing his BA in Business Administration at SDSU.

After purchasing his own camera, Carl opened Carl Ackerman Productions and began producing a public access surfing program called "Crossfire Videos". While attending the Coast Vineyard church, Carl became friends with Peter King, John Carper,Tim Bessell, Richard Kenvin and Peter Kenvin. The show featured surfing footage including Peter King, Joey Buran, Justin Postin, The Weatherly Brothers, Saxon Boucher , Richard Kenvin and other pro surfers. Tony Magnussen and David Andrecht also ran H-Street skateboards which provided for outrageous skateboard action.

In 1988 "Crossfire Videos" quickly became the most highly requested show airing on the San Diego Cox Cable and Southwestern Cable Public Access channels. This was definitely not because of the production and editing quality, but because of the content. 1988 Carl began working for Christian Communications Network as a full time TV Cameraman. Here he was taught broadcasting techniques from multi-Emmy Award winning Director, Jerry Barnard, JR. . Carl learned all aspects of television production working in this 4 camera studio which was also mobile. He shot programs for 2 years for CCN , including "Faithline" which was broadcast every day across the nation.

"CNN Studio"

In 1989, He moved to Humboldt County and purchased a 3-chip TV Camcorder. Soon he began a documentary on the Coast Redwoods for Humboldt Redwoods State Park entitled, "Avenue of the Giants". Carl soon was able to put together a complete Betacam Editing Bay and his footage of the Kinetic Scuplture Race was featured on Beyond 2000 and ESPN. "For The Glory II" , the 52 minute Silver Anniversary Kinetic Sculpture Race program Produced and Directed by Carl Ackerman aired on PBS in 1995.

"Doc Ball"

In 1997 Carl created "Shaping 101 with John Carper" & also began distributing to surfshops. "Shaping 101" received a 1997 Bronze Telly Award. "Glassing 101 with John Carper" was released in 1998. Carl had been working 3 years on the Life story of Doc Ball. This 1999 release won a Silver Telly Award and Carl is glad that he had the chance to capture the story of such a great Waterman.

"Carl, polishing one of his Telly Awards!"

Now Carl's company, SurfingVideos.com is continuing to produce and distribute quality surf programs worldwide. Thank you for checking us out and be sure to call if you have any questions.