Basic gear from mid-twentieth-century France

[David Wilson]

On now to Sporasub snorkels. This will be short and sweet as I've only managed to find one example. See above, courtesy of the Musée Frédéric Dumas, where some additional information about the exhibit can be found at Enregistrement 1743.

So a flexible-hose snorkel with the mask attachment clip moulded onto the barrel. Except for the bend at the lower end of the barrel and the longer neck of the mouthpiece, the breathing tube broadly resembles the Seac Corrugato, which is in production nowadays if you are in the market for a vintage-style snorkel:

 

[David Wilson]

We'll move straight on to Sporasub fins. The image above is an extract from the catalogue of the Hommes Grenouilles de Paris (Frogmen of Paris) catalogue of 1980, when the prices were in francs. No accompanying images, but we can establish that the "Hugues Dessault" fins were available with short, standard and long blades in a closed-heel EU 38-46 range and with short, standard and long blades in an open-heel adjustable EU 43-48 range.

The above may be an example of an open-heel adjustable H. D. fin.

Once again courtesy of the Musée Dumas, the image above may illustrate the closed-heel H.D. in the price list. Further information at Enregistrement 209. Interesting contributions to the development of the modern long-bladed freediving fin. The current version of the full-foots can be seen below:

I'll leave it there for today. A couple of Sporasub fins still to go.

 

[David Wilson]

Right, let's get to the last two Sporasub fin models. The first is a full-foot and maybe a reminder that in the Europe of the 1960s and 1970s, full-foot was king when it came to fins and came with a much higher price tag than open-heels, whether adjustable or not.

Sporasub closed-heel fin

I'm grateful again to the Musée Frédéric Dumas for the images of the exhibits above. As can be seen, the blade on one version was plain, while it featured two ribs in what was probably a later model. Little else to distinguish it from numerous other closed-heel fins of the time.

 

[David Wilson]

And the last Sporasub fin is an open-heel with an extended footplate to protect the heel. The pebble beaches of the Mediterranean demanded full heel coverage during an era when exposure suits, or even booties, were expensive accessories and most spearfishermen wore their fins over bare feet.

Sporasub open-heel fins

The images are from the fin page of the excellent Collection Matériel de Plongée website at ENSEMBLE ENFANT JOPEN MATCH. Note the outline of the logo of a fish shot with a speargun accompanying the Sporasub brand name on the top of the footpockets. These open-heel fins came with an open toe, an adjustable strap and a heel protector for comfort.

The two pictures above illustrate a child's version of the open-heel Sporasub fin called "Babysub". French diving equipment manufacturers of the period knew the importance of equipping the next generation of divers and underwater hunters.

Well, that's it so far as Sporasub is concerned. We're far from finished with French basic gear makers, though, and we'll be moving on to yet another manufacturer next time, probably Sommap, which is still in business.

 

[David Wilson]

Let's turn now to the French diving and swimming equipment manufacturer Sommap, whose website can be found at SOMMAP Aquatic Sports - French manufacturer of diving, swimming and water sports products - SOMMAP and whose 2019 catalogue can be downloaded from http://www.sommap.com/upload/catalogue/catalogue-2019-sommap-light.pdf. "Sommap" is short for "Société Méditerranéenne de Matériels de Pêche sous-marine", which roughly translates as "Mediterranean underwater fishing equipment company".

According to the company's English-language website, "SOMMAP SAS, founded in 1970, is located in Roquefort(-le-Bédoule) near port of Marseilles in the south of France (Provence). Our factory, specialized in Plastic, Silicone and Rubber injections, manufacture and sell all over the world scuba diving products : Fins, Masks, Snorkels, Spearguns, Swimming articles... Our Plastic work shop perfectly masters fins moulding technic. Our Rubber work shop is the only one in France to produce masks and fins. Our know-how since 40 years allow us to claim that we are the specialist for snorkeling (fins-masks-snorkels)."

Don't confuse Roquefort-la-Bédoule with Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, where the famous sheep's cheese is made and which is further north than Roquefort-la-Bédoule. The following map shows where Roquefort-la-Bédoule is relative to Marseilles:

By now in this thread you will have noticed a pattern emerging when it comes to the location of France's diving equipment manufacturers, most of whom set up in business in the region of Marseilles and Nice on the French Riviera on the coast of the Mediterranean, which may have built a reputation as a millionaire's playground but which represented a valuable food source for underwater hunters during, and in the aftermath of, World War II when eking out meagre rations.

As you will already have concluded, Sommap started up in the comparatively late year of 1970 and it is very much alive and well nowadays, manufacturing and distributing basic underwater swimming equipment (masks, snorkels and fins) made either from traditional rubber or from modern synthetics. For the purposes of this thread, I am going to focus on gear made from the former material. We'll begin with the Sommap range of diving masks.

 

[David Wilson]

There are at least seven models in Sommap's range of traditional diving masks. Let's start with the plain ones.

Sommap Moana mask

Description:

• Type: Single-lens oval-shaped French Navy mask with no compensator.
• Material: Black rubber skirt and headstrap; tempered safety-glass lens; stainless-steel frame.
• Accreditation: Conforms to EU Directive 89/686/EEC — Personal Protective Equipment.

This model represents the most basic Sommap traditional oval mask.

 

[David Wilson]

Next up the Colombo, another plain diving mask in the Sommap traditional range

Sommap Colombo diving mask

Description:

• Type: Single-lens oval-shaped mask with no compensator.
• Material: Black rubber skirt; tempered safety-glass lens; stainless-steel frame and screw.
• Accreditation: Conforms to EU Directive 89/686/EEC — Personal Protective Equipment.

This model shares the features of the Moana mask with the enhancement of a top screw for a full vintage look.

I'll finish here and return in several days to review the compensator models in the Sommap traditional diving mask range.

 

[David Wilson]

More Sommap retro oval diving masks for review. These models come with compensator bosses.

Sommap Corail diving mask

Description: The vintage retro design of the Corail diving mask remains popular with modern divers and snorkelling enthusiasts alike. With its large single-lens eyescreen, the Corail diving mask offers excellent vision in the water and wide peripheral views. The clarity of vision provided by the Corail diving mask is perfect for exploring sea life and underwater settings, while making underwater equipment such as cameras easier to handle. The Corail mask is made from high-quality flexible rubber, giving the user’s face a perfect fit. This ability to accommodate facial contours helps to create an excellent seal, whilst maintaining comfort over long periods of use. The diving mask has a large single tempered-glass lens, with excellent strength to withstand pressure and impacts. The glass lens is secured by a lightweight stainless-steel frame. The diving mask comes with finger wells for easy ear clearing during submersion. The diving mask features a durable rubber headstrap easily adjustable for comfort and watertightness, gently gripping the user’s head to prevent the mask from slipping. The Corail retro diving mask is ideal for snorkelling, free diving and scuba diving sessions.

• Type: Single-lens oval-shaped mask with compensator.
• Material: Black rubber skirt and headstrap; tempered safety-glass lens; stainless-steel frame.
• Accreditation: Conforms to EU Directive 89/686/EEC — Personal Protective Equipment.

 

[David Wilson]

Today's second Sommap compensator diving mask is the Madera, which resembles the Corail but features a more robust lens clamp with a top screw.

Sommap Madera diving mask

Description:

• Type: Single-lens oval-shaped mask with compensator.
• Material: Black rubber skirt and headstrap; tempered safety-glass lens; stainless-steel frame with screw.
• Accreditation: Conforms to EU Directive 89/686/EEC — Personal Protective Equipment.

 

[David Wilson]

Third in the line of Sommap compensator diving masks is the Visiomer.

Sommap Visiomer diving mask

Description:
Retro style mask with a stainless-steel frame and a large single oval window offering great visibility.

• Type: Single-lens rectangular mask with compensator.
• Material: Black rubber skirt and headstrap; tempered safety-glass lens; stainless-steel frame.
• Accreditation: Conforms to EU Directive 89/686/EEC — Personal Protective Equipment.

That's it for today. I'll be back to review Sommap's retro purge masks in a few days' time.