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Diving pioneer Prodanovich, who 'opened the ocean door,' dies
By Ed Zieralski
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
February 12, 2008
His time was when the ocean off San Diego was filled with life and thick kelp forests, and no one celebrated those wonders of yesterday's seas with more passion and gusto than Jack Prodanovich, founder, along with Glenn Orr and Ben Stone, of the famous Bottom Scratchers.
It was an invitation-only group of watermen who became the founding fathers of free diving and gained national attention for the sport with their machismo, good sportsmanship and daring adventures. Prodanovich died last Thursday of respiratory failure. He was 94.
In the summer of 2003, in what was a bittersweet celebration, the Bottom Scratchers gathered for their 70th anniversary. Six of the club's remaining living members showed, and Prodanovich received an award from the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) that read: With little more than homemade masks and bare skin, you were the first to open the ocean door. Thank you for leading us. Congratulations Bottom Scratchers Dive Club.
Prodanovich had a display of his innovative, two-piece trigger spearguns next to him during that anniversary social. Prodanovich's Bottom Scratcher Speargun was more than six feet long.
I can't believe what all this came to, Prodanovich said at the time. We were just a couple of guys hittin' the drink for fish with a couple of masks and spears. It's just mind-boggling what all this came to.
Jack's son Robin asks that in lieu of flowers, donations in Jack Prodanovich's name be sent to Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute's white seabass program.
Sam Miller
By Ed Zieralski
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
February 12, 2008
His time was when the ocean off San Diego was filled with life and thick kelp forests, and no one celebrated those wonders of yesterday's seas with more passion and gusto than Jack Prodanovich, founder, along with Glenn Orr and Ben Stone, of the famous Bottom Scratchers.
It was an invitation-only group of watermen who became the founding fathers of free diving and gained national attention for the sport with their machismo, good sportsmanship and daring adventures. Prodanovich died last Thursday of respiratory failure. He was 94.
In the summer of 2003, in what was a bittersweet celebration, the Bottom Scratchers gathered for their 70th anniversary. Six of the club's remaining living members showed, and Prodanovich received an award from the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) that read: With little more than homemade masks and bare skin, you were the first to open the ocean door. Thank you for leading us. Congratulations Bottom Scratchers Dive Club.
Prodanovich had a display of his innovative, two-piece trigger spearguns next to him during that anniversary social. Prodanovich's Bottom Scratcher Speargun was more than six feet long.
I can't believe what all this came to, Prodanovich said at the time. We were just a couple of guys hittin' the drink for fish with a couple of masks and spears. It's just mind-boggling what all this came to.
Jack's son Robin asks that in lieu of flowers, donations in Jack Prodanovich's name be sent to Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute's white seabass program.
Sam Miller
