Doc Ball (January 25, 1907 - ) |
 The Largest Surfing EncyclopediaA-Z: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Advertisement
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There aren't many angles Doc Ball hasn't tried. Despite being limited by pre-World War II technology, his photos encompassed the surfing lifestyle before there was a surfing lifestyle. From every mode of transportation and perspective imaginable, he crafted the blueprints for surf photography.
Born in Los Angeles, John Heath Ball was raised in Redlands, California. He began testing the waters off Hermosa in 1917; 10 years after George Freeth wowed visiting beachgoers with the area's first display of surfing. Ball was a Redlands Municipal Pool Junior Lifeguard, where he crossed paths with Duke Kahanamoku, who acted as master of ceremonies for the pool opening party. Duke's aquatic exploits fueled Ball's fledgling interest in surfing. In later years, the two would make trips down the coast to San Onofre. From 1929 to 1933, Ball followed in his father's footsteps by attending dental school at the University of Southern California. The following year, "Doc" opened his dental office in Los Angeles, which became the meeting place for the Palos Verdes Surf Club, California's first such club. Moreover, he insisted on a smoke-free environment at a time that even sports heroes were pushing cigarettes. The club, which was followed by several others, held surf contests, paddleboard races and paddleboard water polo tournaments. Inspired by waterman/innovator Tom Blake, Doc began taking surf photos in 1931. He made his own trunks and tripods and pioneered many photographic innovations -- from handheld, teeth-held and strapped-on cameras to finding creative vantage points such as piers, rocks, cliffs, caves, towers, planes, boats and trees. His camera was pointed at every facet of the burgeoning surf lifestyle as he amassed the most complete pre-World War II photo collection the sport would know. Doc's work was the focus of his 1946 book, California Surfriders. In addition, many of his photos have been featured in the Los Angeles Times, Life magazine, National Geographic and Encyclopedia Britannica. Unfortunately, a 1964 flood destroyed much of his archives, leaving only printed copies of his work. While he no longer captures the surfing lifestyle on film, he remains active well into his 90s, thanks to a strict diet of vegetables, vitamins, faith and skateboarding. Around his Eureka home, he skates "enough to keep the reflexes." And he still manages to get in the water, despite the frigid temperatures. "When [Leroy] Grannis comes up in June," he says, "I'll get out there, but this 48 degree water just freezes my bones." -- Jason Borte, October 2000 Click here to find all the Doc Ball photos and editorial on Surfline.
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