Customer Reviews

Early California Surfriders

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Doc's 1946 book is a fantastic collection of pre WW II surfing photographs. If one carefully studies the names and places, you will find the book is a priceless historical document. The photo titles are humorous and innocent which also reflects the period in which they were taken. Any student of surf history and/or surfing photography should by all means purchase this book. Doc not only invented and pioneered his camera's waterhousings, but also the beginnings of the surf photographer's eye. He was a good friend of Tom Blake's and many of the other early California surfers. Dr. John Heath Ball, DDS. will be remembered not only as the father of surf photography, but as a positive and innovative force in the early history of California surfing.

Smoking creamers! That's what they used to call big waves, dig? Any surfer with an appreciation of the history of the sport will find this book a treasure. Pictures of the likes of Leroy Grannis and Dorian Paskowitz and Gard Chapin (Miki Dora's stepfather), hollow boards, and recognizable waves in alien surroundings ("That's Malibu all right, but where's all the postwar development?!") make this book a piece of extreme cool.

This book was on my WishList for over a year, and then it took 2 months to arrive after ordering it. What a disappointment after all that time!

The book consists of a bunch of photos, some of which are pretty cool, but most of which are mediocre at best. There is no text, except for a one-page introduction, and another one-page tribute to George Freeth. Comments that accompany each photo are superficial, repetetive, and often just plain dorky. After 35 years of surfing California myself, and reading all the magazines, books, etc. over those years, this was a big letdown. I expected a lot more. ... the thing is way over-priced, unless you happen to big a big Doc Ball fan and/or are one of the old-timers in the photos. If not, save your dough.

Wow! Doc Ball's waterborne photography is years ahead of it's time. I'm blown away every time I look at this book and check out surfers with no wetsuits and leashes,awesome early boards, and the lack of surf-traffic!

Mr. Feuling was arrested for destruction of property, namely the windsheilds of cars in the parking lot at Rincon Point. I caught him breaking the windows of cars in 1989 at Rincon Point where he lived. He was arrested are charged with the crime, he plead no contest in court and paid restotution and damages. He also poisoned trees and animals (neighbors pets) in the Rincon Point private community. He is the author of this book and should be ashamed of what he did back then.