User:Talahuhta/George Freeth Group 1: Background & Early Life

Doc Ball Background Information and The Palos Verdes Surfing Club-Topi Alahuhta

Doc Ball Background Information (Topi Alahuhta)

[edit] John “Doc” Ball revolutionized surf photography and surf culture. Ball’s family was from the Midwest, and he always had a passion for tinkering with things. Ball was always a good athlete, participating in football and pole vault. He ended up working as a practicing dentist (he opened a dentistry practice in 1934), hence the nickname “Doc”. Ball was known to give many humorous nicknames himself. Though Ball was a good surfer in his own right, his main contributions came in the form of surf photography and scrapbooking. Ball invented an underwater camera, which is displayed in the California Surf Museum. Many of Ball’s pictures ended up in notable publications such as Life Magazine. One of Ball’s greatest achievements was his book California Surf Riders: 1946. This book featured hundreds of iconic surfing pictures and notes. Ball got married in 1941. He had two kids: Norman, and John Jr.

Doc Ball and The Palos Verdes Surfing Club (Topi Alahuhta)

“Doc” Ball was one of the founding members of the Palos Verdes Surf Club alongside Adie Mayer. The Palos Verdes Surf Club was one of the first and most influential of the early California surf clubs. Some of the key aspects of the Palos Verdes Surfing Club were cars, campfires, and music. Attracted by these things, The Palos Verdes Surf Club became very popular with college students. Perhaps a product of the period, Ball’s surf club was all-male. It was Ball’s pictures that put Palos Verdes Estates on the map. Many went there to chase their own Waikiki dreams. Ball and his crew were heavily inspired by the Waikiki Beach Boys. This was evidenced by the nicknames that were engraved into the club member's surfboards, mimicking those that they would have seen in Hawaii. Bluff Cove (The main surf spot of the Palos Verdes Surf Club) was soon regarded as one of the best along the California coast, or at least such was the advertising of the Palos Verdes Home Association when they placed surfing in their pamphlets. This cove was hard to reach, perhaps adding to its appeal despite the obvious logistical difficulties. You had to drive on a dirt road that was on the side of a 500ft drop. The dangers of this road were very evident. Ball himself once helped a man up the cliff and into an ambulance after the man's car was thrown into the brush. These dangers led to a lack of funding from the Palos Verdes Estates, seeing as they did not want to be responsible for accidents. Ball had a history with Bluff Cove that went back to his childhood. Ball compared Palos Verdes to Waikiki quite often, showcasing his deep adoration of the surf spot. Ball was the editor of the Palos Verdes Surf Club newsletter. The newsletter was very active and Ball would even hand it out at meetings. The Palos Verdes Surf Club had a constitution. This constitution states that the core values of the Palos Verdes Surfing Club are “courage, honor, and service” (California Surfing Museum). There were requirements for new members, financial rules, fines for missing meetings, conduction of pledges, and many by-laws. Ball edited the newsletter for 4 years, showcasing his dedication to the Palos Verdes Surfing Club.

References

Moser, Patrick.Waikiki Dreams. 2024. University Of Illinois Press.

Lubinsky, A. (2021, May 26). Surf Club founded in 1930s has home in Redondo. Daily Breeze. https://www.dailybreeze.com/2010/08/04/surf-club-founded-in-1930s-has-home-in-redondo/

The California Surf Museum Website

Ackerman, Carl. Gault-Williams, Malcolm. The Life Story Of Doc Ball. 2021. Ackerman Digital, LLC.

Surfing History (1930-1945)

DOC BALL - JULIE PANDEY

1926, while a student at the University of Redlands, Doc Ball received a Kodak Autographic camera from his father. This gift sparked his interest in surf photography, an interest he pursued during summers at his family’s home in Hermosa Beach. By 1929, Ball had graduated and decided to follow his father’s career path in dentistry. However, his passion for photography and surfing remained strong, and it would continue to shape his life in significant ways.

In August 1930, after completing his first year of dental school at USC, Ball traveled with his father to Honolulu in the City of Los Angeles for a summer vacation. This trip further fueled his enthusiasm for surfing. Then, on January 18, 1931, Ball was captivated by a black-and-white surf photograph by Tom Blake in the Los Angeles Times, an image that left a lasting impact and inspired him to deepen his involvement in surf photography.

Between 1931 and 1941, Ball documented California’s surf culture, capturing approximately 900 images of surfers and beach scenes. In 1934, he photographed unique surf gear at the Cove, including cowboy hats and hand paddles, providing a distinctive look at the local surf lifestyle. His work began to gain attention, and in the fall of 1937, The Los Angeles Times published two of his photographs alongside Andy Hamilton's article "Surfboards, Ahoy!" This piece showcased surfers from Bluff Cove and the Palos Verdes Surfing Club, and it included images of well-known surfers Tulie Clark, E. Oshiek, and Jim Reynolds.

Ball’s photography continued to attract wider recognition. In February 1938, his photo of Palos Verdes Surfing Club member Kay Murray diving off his board at Hermosa Beach appeared on the cover of Saturday Night magazine, with additional images published in an article titled "Surf Slaloms." That same year, his work also appeared in Life magazine, helping to establish surfing as a defining element of California’s identity. Ball’s images documented scenes like surfers around a nighttime campfire, tired yet satisfied after a “Super Surf” in April 1939, and the excitement of riding the “Mighty Ski Jump” at Bluff Cove in December 1940, for which he used a waterproof camera housing he had tested successfully the previous month.

In 1940, Ball also captured scenes from the Pacific Coast Surf Riding Championships at San Onofre, featuring cars parked on the beach, spectators, and surfers waiting for their turns. His reputation led the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce to contact him in July 1939 to organize a similar event, which would take place in late August.

By 1941, Ball’s personal life saw new developments: he married Evelyn, and they would soon have two sons, Norman and John Jr. In 1944, Ball’s photographs gained further prominence when they appeared in National Geographic, solidifying surfing’s place in American popular culture. In 1946, Ball self-published California Surfriders, a photographic book that serves as a historical artifact of 1930s surf culture, primarily featuring images taken before World War II. Through his work, Doc Ball played a pivotal role in documenting and popularizing California’s early surf scene, leaving a lasting legacy in surf photography.

References

Moser, Patrick.Waikiki Dreams. 2024. University Of Illinois Press.

Encyclopedia of Surf, Palos Verdes Surf Club (Limited information since you have to pay)

Ackerman, Carl. Gault-Williams, Malcolm. The Life Story Of Doc Ball. 2021. Ackerman Digital, LLC.

Mary Ann Hawkins - Aashish Karn

Mary Ann Hawkins, a pioneering figure in surfing and ocean swimming, was profoundly influenced by Duke Kahanamoku's swimming and surfing exhibition in Pasadena during the late 1920s. This event ignited her lifelong passion for water sports.

In 1933, at the age of 15, Hawkins gained national recognition when she won the junior championship in the 880-yard freestyle for the Los Angeles Athletic Club. The Los Angeles Evening Post dubbed her "Pretty Mary Ann Hawkins." That July, she showcased her talent in two "rough-water" events, placing second in Venice and fourth in a two-mile race between the Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach piers.

By 1935, the Hawkins family had moved to Santa Monica, further bolstering Mary Ann's swimming and surfing endeavors. From 1936 to 1938, she dominated the Venice Breakwater swim, claiming victory three consecutive years and establishing herself as Southern California's premier female ocean swimmer.

On September 12, 1936, Hawkins made history by winning the first women's paddleboard race in California at the Santa Monica Breakwater, surpassing competitors Arlene Peterson and Patty Godsave. Her prowess continued in 1938 when she won both the women’s half-mile paddleboard race and the Venice Breakwater swim on the same day.

Beyond her competitive achievements, Hawkins actively engaged in cultural events such as the “Okole Maluna” dance on July 1, 1938, hosted by the San Onofre Surfing Wahines at the Hollywood Riviera Club House, which celebrated Hawaiian culture through hula performances.

In April 1939, Hawkins married Thomas "Bud" Morrissey, which led to her absence from the December women’s paddleboard championship in Long Beach. Later that year, "Whitey" Harrison praised her as "the best tandem rider" in a heartfelt letter that reflected their shared surfing experiences.

Hawkins' leadership skills were recognized in January 1939, when she was appointed head of the women’s auxiliary group of the Santa Monica Paddle Club. By January 8, 1940, she had ascended to vice president, presiding over meetings and representing the club at significant gatherings, such as the West Coast Paddleboard Association meeting at "Doc" Ball’s office in Los Angeles.

References

Moser, Patrick.Waikiki Dreams. 2024. University Of Illinois Press.