Bob Simmons was born in Los Angeles, California on March 29, 1919. During his early teens, he developed a tumour on his left ankle which nearly caused his leg to be amputated. After beating the cancer, Bob was involved in a serious bicycle collision and, while staying in the hospital, he was advised to try surfing. He first got on a surfboard at age 20 at Newport Beach, California. In 1954, Bob drowned while surfing at Windansea, California.