Couple of Interesting sites

[JAdair]

Good article on Dick Bonin

http://www.techdivingmag.com/

1962 Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo Spearfishing Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWQdHPjQ ... r_embedded



Enjoy

[captain]

Thanks for the videos, I knew Roland Reviere and his dive buddy Dan Nelson. I bought some of my first gear from Roland. He was the first person to sell scuba equipment in New Orleans from his Military surplus and sporting goods store on North Rampart St.

Although I was never a participant personally in the rodeo several of my dive boat customers were winners in one or more categories. Unfortunately about 15 years ago spearfishing was eliminated as a part of the event. The rodeo is the third weekend in July every year and is one big party drawing thousands of people to Grand Isle.

[Bryan]

Check out the Jewfish!!! Basket harness, one piece hose assembly....Great short film.


When you have a free moment I'd highly recommend reading the article on Dick Bonin. Many of you will recognize the names of folks in the story and I can't wait to hear Sam Millers comments. I met him a time or two while working in CA but only in passing. I was lucky enough to know Sam Itchikawa (sp) a bit.
Everyone of that group I ever met were divers to the core and would talk till the cows came home to anyone that cared to listen about Scubapro and many other tall tales of diving...

[Popeye]

ref: 1962 Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo Spearfishing Video.

The NOGI is the oldest and most prestigious award in the diving industry, dating back to 1960. The NOGI statuette was modified from an award formerly bestowed at the renowned New Orleans Grand Isle Fishing Tournament, which had an underwater division. The Underwater Society of America was approached by Jay Albeanese and Louis Cuccia of New Orleans, who sought sanction of this award to annually recognize leaders in the field of skin and SCUBA diving in four categories.
In 1993, The Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences (AUAS) was incorporated by the recipients of the past 33 years. AUAS took over administration of the NOGI Award, which continues to be presented annually, with ongoing sanction and support from the Underwater Society of America.

ARTS: Filmmakers, painters, photographers, sculptors and other artists who bring the majesty of the underwater world to people everywhere.

SCIENCE: Explorers, inventors, doctors and scientists whose work helps us understand, enjoy and protect our precious underwater realm.


SPORTS/EDUCATION: Outstanding athletes and teachers who make diving a safe, enjoyable and accessible activity for all who love the ocean.


DISTINGUISHED SERVICE: Achievers whose contributions keep turning the wheels of the diving industry and the global diving community.

The first recipients of the NOGI (an acronym for "New Orleans Grand Isle") stauette were world-class spearfishing champions in the 1950s. Since 1960, under the auspices of Underwater Society of America (USOA), with financial contributions from Skin Diver Magazine and Beneath The Sea, Inc. The roster of NOGI recipients has become a virtual "Who's Who in the Ocean World," with such legends as Capt. Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Dr. Robert Ballard, Capt. Albert Behnke, Dr. Sylvia Earle, Lloyd Bridges and Zale Parry.

[Popeye]

If you go to http://www.techdivingmag.com/ and look up back issues there are industrial profiles in each issue, My favorite is Issue 4 with an interview with Bob Hollis currently president of Oceanic Products. In his interview Bob gets into our dives on the Andrea Doria in 1973 with Saturation Systems and his later return with Peter Gimbal and saturation dives on the Doria,not published anywhere else.