DOC BALL ~ SURFING’S LEGENDARY LENSMAN
Chris Bystrom - Pacific Longboarder Magazine Volume 3 Number 3

"It was a great pleasure to receive a copy of Carl Ackerman's latest video release on the life and times of Doc Ball, California's first surfing photographer. At the ripe old age of 92, 'Doc' is still in excellent spirits and the interviews Carl recorded with him are both historically informative and entertaining as well.

"It's fantastic that we can still learn so much from one of America's true pioneer surf photographers. It's hard to believe that a man who first surfed with Duke Kahanamoku back in the 1920's , is in 1998 , still paddling out for a wave in chilly Northern California with his friend , Leroy Grannis. It's downright unthinkable that Doc still regulary skateboards in Eureka , California , but I can assure you he does - I've seen it myself!

" Ackerman compiled his information on Doc over a period of seven years and this dedication shines through the entire video. The inclusion of Ball's own 16mm surf footage from the 1930's and 40's goes a long way towards illustrating just how far we've come in board design since that time.

"Doc's friendship with another great American pioneer surfer Tom Blake is lovingly recreated in this video and Doc's collection of still photographs, in and around the Palos Verdes Cove area of Los Angeles, is America's first record of surfing on the mainland United States. Doc's first primitive water housing illustrates just how difficult Ball's job would have been, as each individual photograph had to be hand - wound into position , while stradling a 120-pound solid wood board , with waves crashing nearby.

"Women's contributions to the surfing scene are also featured in the footage and I believe this is a valuable video that any serious collector would want to add to their library. I can only hope that other documentarians follow the same path as Carl Ackerman in showing the personal side of their subjects. This video may not be every surfer's cup of tea , especially those addicted to the Taylor Steele school of thrash , but it certainly demonstrates clearly how one man's effort can wonderfully influence future generations of surfers worldwide."

DOC BALL ~ SURFING’S LEGENDARY LENSMAN
Longboard Magazine - August 1999

"An archaic collection of vintage cinematography and impressive stills make this biographical film a must for any photograher or surf history fanatic. This showcase of Doc Ball's early innovations, pure stoke, famous friends (Tom Blake and Duke Kahanamoku) and memorable footage only helps to cement his rightful place in surfing's Hall of Fame. And hey, where else would you see a 92 year old man carving downhill on a skateboard?"

DOC BALL ~ SURFING’S LEGENDARY LENSMAN
Surfing Magazine March 2000 (Carl Ackerman)

"If you ever need something to show your folks to convince them that the surfing life is a noble pursuit and that , no , you won't grow up to be a bum ; or if your slightly over watching sixteen-year-old flyweights chuck buckets of spray to another post-punk soundtrack, then grab some popcorn , open a soda , and pop in this classy little documentary on one of surfing's most inspirational legends.

"Doc Ball, DDS, (yeah, he was a dentist) was born in 1907 and was surfing's first photographer. His images captured a California that's been gone so long it's hard to believe we're in the same century. Not to say it was a boring time - we are talkin' about surfers here, and they were just as much pranksters then as we are now, just with much heavier boards.

"Doc's gravelly narration ties the whole thing together, from footage of a garden snake noseriding along with him at Palos Verdes before World War II , to 1997 footage of him and fellow legend and old friend Leroy Grannis trunking it in 52 degree Northern California water, to perhaps the best scene ever in a surf video, Doc at 92 years old , downhill skateboarding with a look of supremely focused joy on his weathered and wise face, too busy living to worry about growing old. We could all learn from that." - Marcus Sanders

GLASSING 101 REVEIW
Surfer Magazine August '98 Reveiw by Ben Marcus

"Glassing 101 by JC and Carl Ackerman In 68 words: Shaping 101 taught you how to shape a blank. Glassing 101 will teach you how to make it waterproof. Put together with the same quality that made Shaping 101 so engaging , Glassing 101 walks you through all the tools and techniques of taking a shaped blank to a finished product. Once again, even if you never glass your own board, every surfer should see this at least once.

"Soundtrack: Barry Margolin , Bubonic Funkateers , Justin Hobart Brown , The Sellouts , Earl's Son , The Turning."

SHAPING 101 REVIEW
Surfer Magazine - Ben Marcus

"Prolific Hawaiian foam carver John Carper provides a knowledgeable, humorous narration as he goes step by step through the process of turning a rough blank into a refined foil. He starts with a description of the various tools, stresses safety, then shows that shaping is a combination of exact measurement, educated guesses and experience. Carper's instruction is as sure as his planing skills, the sound and video are clean and the graphics are first class. This is a professional effort, enhanced by hot surfing by Shane Dorian, Adam Replogle, Chris Gallagher, and other JC riders putting his foils to the test. Should you get a copy? Yes every surfer should watch it at least once."

SHAPING 101 REVIEW
Chris Bystrom, Pacific Longboarder magazine:

"Shaping 101" is an in-depth, informative look at what is required to shape your very own surfboard. Producer Carl Ackerman has wisely chosen a progressive and much respected personality in John Carper to be the spokesperson and resident expert in this instructive video. Somewhat like a textbook at 96 minutes, Carper illustrates all aspects of the shaping process and utilizes quality surfing footage to drive home his points. Some will no doubt question a video solely devoted to shaping shortboard designs, but as the producer points out, the same principles apply to long boards too. Soundtrack music, including blues great Roy Buchanon and the Peter Moon Band, keep up the pace and by the end of this feature length video everything you wanted to know about surfboard shaping has been clearly presented. "Shaping 101" is available in surf shops around the USA or directly from Surfing Videos. I'd recommend it to anyone wishing to dabble in board building prior to hacking into their first blank."

SHAPING 101 REVIEW
Surfing magazine:

"Step by step guide to shaping from one of the masters. Totally helpful. Spiced up with some sick surfing footage too. Ear snacks mellow, but good. The Vid could've been called The Johnny Carper Show. What, you like? Call 800-833-0389 and be ready for a mouth full o'foam dust."