VOLUME SIX, NO. 4

In Trim: Doc Ball  by Malcom Gault-Williams and Gary Lynch
One of the earliest surf photographers of all time, John Heath “Doc” Ball used his lens to capture the young California surf culture in a way that still demands to be looked at today. In the this retrospective of his life and the local scene between the 1920s and ’50s, Ball reminisces with Gault-Williams about his early introduction to photography, canoe surfing, dentistry, being buddies with Tom Blake, his 1920s Kodak autographic camera, the state’s first surfers, the California vibe, Palos Verdes Surf Club, the “shoots box,” magazine work, old San Onofre, Preston “Pete” Peterson, Whitey Harrison, Gard Chapin, LeRoy Grannis, Tulie Clark, Hoppy Swarts, World War II, Early California Surfriders, Doc’s religious conversion, the tragic flood and his newest hobbies. Ball’s vintage photographs of himself, Mary Ann Hawkins, the “gang dog,” Tom Blake, Gard Chapin, the San Onofre bunch and Lorrin Harrison are also shown.         

“Rico Suave: Hollow Flavor in the Caribe”  by Peter Interland
Almost 100 years after Puerto Rico was claimed as a protectorate by the United States (when Spanish forces were defeated by Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders), a small band of American surfers flew to the island to score some warm, latin-flavored barrels and soak up the local hospitality. Longboarders caught enjoying themselves by photographer Jim Russi include Stephen Slater, Raul Gonsalves, Jesse Fernandez and Jon Walla.             

“The Sceptr’d Isles: Brittania’s Longbord Landscape”  by Rob Beiling
Beiling investigates several surfing areas in and around Great Britain, with spot checks at Devon, Cornwall, Newquay, Scarborough and Wales, plus the neighboring isles of Ireland and Scotland. Mostly highlighted by chilly lineup shots of Skirrza, the Point of Ness, the Severn River, Gower Peninsula, Ireland’s southern coast, northeast England and Cornwall, action shots of Beiling, Richard Balding and Will Eastham are also here.    

“Okinawa Holiday”
Californian Tyler Hatzikian joins Kenji Miyauchi, Tetsuo Hosokawa, Yuji Yoshinori and Takuji Masuda for a hop to the island of Okinawa during last winter, where they scored hot-dog waves, warm water and an exotic setting.

“Mexico Lindo”  by Devon Howard
A mixed bag of Californian longboard talent—made up of Josh Baxter, Josh Farberow, Devon Howard, Zack Howard, Keefe Gargan, Darren Ledingham, Josh Mohr and Lance Woleslagle—slides down to Zihuatenejo for a couple weeks of empty, pointbreak surf. Howard’s words describe the country, the journey to Playa Kandahar, the resort grounds and other activities, and also break down every session taken along the neighboring Mexican coastline. 

LineUp: “Trip Without Trauma: Preparing for a Surfari”  by Tim Williams
Williams gives tips to make your next surf trip a greater experience than your last, with a focus on time, money, travel agents, packing, food, shelter and acceptable behavior. 

The Tribe: Tom Ortner  by Devon Howard 

Right Angles: “Miami: SoBe It”  by Peter Interland

Surf Sisters: Vanessa Firkin  by Anna Schisler

Surfer’s Ear: Dale Velzy

Dropping In: Syrus King