Bottom Scratchers Dive Club

[urmaddad]

I Recently acquired this photograph and was wondering if the divers are from the Bottom Scratchers Dive Club. The photograph seems to date from the 1940s due to the type of car in the background. Location looks like southern California because of the abalone and Sheepshead fish on the long surfboard. They look like they have a home made pole spear. Neoprene wetsuits were not made until the 1950s, so I think that these guys were diving with just their swimsuits on.

 

[Sam Miller III]

I know most of the Bottom Scratchers and the gentlemen in the picture are not members whom I am acquainted.

The board is a paddle board, not a Surf board.

The weapon was also called a "Jab Stick" since there was no rubber slings therefore it was arm powered by a Jab or a Thrust .

Dry suits were introduced and produced by Bill Barada in the 1940s, preceding the wet suit my a number of years. The wet suit was introduced to the recreational diving world in early 1950s by Edco.

I do not see the "Car in the back ground."

There is no evidence of basic equipment such as fins mask or snorkel.

This picture probably dates from 1940s ??????????

SDM

SDM

 

[cb5150]

I know most of the Bottom Scratchers and the gentlemen in the picture are not members whom I am acquainted.

The board is a paddle board, not a Surf board.

The weapon was also called a "Jab Stick" since there was no rubber slings therefore it was arm powered by a Jab or a Thrust .

Dry suits were introduced and produced by Bill Barada in the 1940s, preceding the wet suit my a number of years. The wet suit was introduced to the recreational diving world in early 1950s by Edco.

I do not see the "Car in the back ground."

There is no evidence of basic equipment such as fins mask or snorkel.

This picture probably dates from 1940s ??????????

SDM

SDM

...Uh look closer. If you look really close you'll see that their masks, fins and snorkels are on the ground next to the car's front bumper.

 

[tracydr]

I see the car, nice car. Not seeing the fins or mask?

 

[redacted]

...Uh look closer. If you look really close you'll see that their masks, fins and snorkels are on the ground next to the car's front bumper.

are those split fins?

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Isn't that Jack Prodonovich and Wally Potts?
I'm looking at a photo in a Terry Maas book and I think it's them.
At least the board looks the same.

---------- Post added September 20th, 2013 at 09:56 PM ----------

Here is a set of plans you can buy to make your very own paddle board just like they used to use.
8', 12' Paddleboard-boatdesign

 

[urmaddad]

The car is in the background just to the left of the surfboard/paddleboard, about level with the lowest abalone. The style of the car looks to be 1940s to me. There are no masks or fins in this photograph.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

It's a '37 Plymouth

 

[urmaddad]

​Yes, a 1937 Plymouth Coup. Perhaps the photograph is late 1930s rather than 1940s.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

​Yes, a 1937 Plymouth Coup. Perhaps the photograph is late 1930s rather than 1940s.

Or it could have just been a 8 to 12 year old car at the time.
I'm driving around a 12 year old truck.

---------- Post added September 27th, 2013 at 01:22 PM ----------

Actually, I take it back, I did a search and it looks more like a '46 plymouth or later - my bad.