End of an era

[captain]

The Bottom Scratchers call it quits.


http://www.freedive.net/bottom_scratchers/bottom_scratchers.htm

 

[wkyongae@aol.com]

A must read by anyone into this sport. I couldn't stop reading.

 

[Hyper-limits]

Sad day for diving, those guys were the real pioneer.

 

[Walter]

Say it isn't so!

 

[Diver Dude]

Captain,
Great story. Thank you for sharing it with us.

 

[phoneman]

Great stuff. I don't know what is sadder the end of an era for them or that I didn't get to experience it with them.

 

[pescador775]

I don't know Jack very well. We were introduced in 1973. Over the course of a few years I visited his home and workshop where I recorded his conversation and took photos of his work. Eventually, I did a show and tell for some local dive clubs. The title of the lecture was "Big Guns", a double entendre. A mutual friend introduced Jack and Wally Potts to a film maker who wanted to put together the "Blue Water Hunters" film. It turned out pretty good. At that time, Jack and Wally were diving from my friend's boat. They liked to find a kelp pad offshore, and ease in for a look see, with guns of course. I've never seen anybody submerge like Wally Potts. He seemed to sink like a sub, or crocodile, just disappear under the waves. Back in the day, Jack lost an eye while in a swimming pool conducting powerhead tests. It didn't slow him down. He could still drill a fish. Both guys were congenial, but driven.

I was very close to Wally. He built a custom gun for me at a time when many San Diego divers considered the Scratchers to be "has beens". I lobbied quietly for recognition of the Scratchers, for what they did, and for what they were. Serious spearos began to seek out Wally, especially; the tide had turned. In 1985-90, Wally was taking on so much custom work from spearos that he told me that "I'm working harder now than before I retired". The film was icing on the cake. He eventually sold his lathe so he could get a bit of rest.

Wally died a couple years ago. Just a few months ago, I heard from a friend. He had lunch with Jack and reported briefly the thoughts of a very sharp, 90 something guy. Still thinking, still planning, still reflecting on things new and old.
Pesky

The Bottom Scratchers call it quits.


http://www.freedive.net/bottom_scratchers/bottom_scratchers.htm

 

[mech]

I could stop reading that link.
What a good read.
Thanks

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Ditto.

Thanks, Captain.

 

[divinginn]

great read,thanks