Bob White representing the Fathomiers at a dive show circa 1960

ABOUT THE L.A. FATHOMIERS:

The Los Angeles Fathomiers skindiving club is one of the oldest and most active dive clubs in Southern California. It was organized in early 1957 as primarily a freediving club devoted to the art of spearfishing. The Fathomiers is a club that welcomes individual divers who enjoy learning the specialized skill of underwater hunting and the selective and conservative taking of game. The club name is widely known throughout the diving world.

Competitive spearfishing, along with game fishing (hunting of white seabass, yellowtail, tuna, halibut, etc.), selective taking of lobsters and abalone and just plain diving for fun, are the fundamental activities of the club. We recognize and encourage all aspects of diving be it freediving or scuba. However, our merits are based solely on freediving efforts.

The organization is open to all persons regardless of age, sex, race, religion or physical ability and no limit to number of members has been set. All experience levels are welcome, from seasoned divers who hold world records to new divers who have never speared a fish. Membership requirements are a three month or longer probationary period whereas a prospective member must have attended three regular club meetings and three regular scheduled club dives, after which a unanimous vote by the active members present is required. A prospective member must have a sponsor, someone who is an active member in the club and who can attest to the club that the prospect will be a beneficial member to the club. Important criteria considered in accepting a new member are his/her sincerity and desire to belong and to become a part of the genuine camaraderie enjoyed by all the membership.

The basic functioning of the club includes a regular monthly membership meeting which historically has been held on the second Monday evening of the month, and is followed by a scheduled club dive, normally the following Sunday. The dive is usually a beach event and is designed primarily as an intra-club spearfishing contest. It is a five (5) hour meet, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with a weigh-in and fish stories at 1:30 p.m.

Competition time!

Into the surf!

For scheduled beach contests members must enter the water through the surf for the most part with only the basic equipment, although most of us have some special type of diving platform, either a scratch type hollow paddleboard, or the open cockpit type (ocean kayak) which allows one to travel to those farther outside hot spots.

The conservative rules for the monthly meets allow for no more than three (3) fish per species and some species must be larger than permitted by California F&G rules. All fish taken shall adhere to F&G laws and be at least 12"long, except for Calico Bass and Sand Bass which must be over 14" long. Only one Sheephead per diver is allowed, and that Sheephead must be at least 18"long. The club alternates every other monthly meet: One month will be for ten (10) fish limit, followed by a three (3) fish meet with only one fish per species. Scoring is figured on one (1) point per pound and one (1) point per fish counted. Monthly scores are accumulated and annual trophies are awarded to winners of first through fifth placements.

The big event of the year is the Scramble Meet, held annually since the 1960s. In recent years, it has been staged in the Palos Verdes Peninsula area during the month of August. The "Scramble" title rules mean: You can dive anywhere you want -- but you must sign-in between the hours of 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. on the day of the meet, and return with your fish in the weigh-in circle by 3:00 p.m. same day.

An awards presentation back in the 60s

Annual awards are presented at the club banquet scheduled in February. Trophies are given for: (1) Monthly intra-club competition, first place through fifth place winners. The top competitor’s name will also be inscribed on the prestigious Ed Gulley perpetual trophy in honor of the club patriarch who passed away in 2004. (2) The Al Schuck Memorial Trophy, for the member winning the most points for the largest fish taken in the above meets. Al was an original charter member who was killed in a bicycle accident in September of 1964. (3) The largest fish speared in California coastal waters. (4) The largest game fish speared outside California coastal waters. (5) The largest reef fish speared outside California coastal waters. (6) The largest lobster taken in California coastal waters (7) The largest abalone taken in California coastal waters. (8) For the Larry Staat Memorial Polespear Meet, a handicap type contest, polespears only. The Larry Staat whom we remember was an aspiring young diver and was well on his way of becoming one of the top freedivers around. He drowned in November 1967 at Shell Beach, California while participating in a polespear competition. Medallions also are awarded for the largest fish of certain species speared in California coastal waters.

Stathis Kostopoulos - IUSA World Record YFT 311lbs!	Richard Balta - 88lb Gulf Grouper in Baja CA, MX.
Clint Koberstein Beach Dive - 3 WSB 50+ lbs each!	Larry Carter approaches for the kill
Fathomiers Competition Beach Dive.

While a number of club members are certified scuba and skindiving instructors, freediving is still the main emphasis. Without the cumbersome handling of heavy scuba equipment we usually stay out in the water for longer periods of time, several hours sometimes without coming ashore or returning to the boat. Freedivers can generally cover much larger areas in a days diving. There’re pros and cons regarding the actual time spent while below the surface, although it's been proven that the silent, stalking, competent breath holder actually has the advantage over the scuba diver in getting close to most game fish. We believe freediving is more sporting and challenging. When one accomplishes the state of being comfortable in holding his/her breath and discovers it’s possible to dive a little longer and a little deeper than imagined, it becomes a feeling of pure exultation. The Fathomiers support developing ones skills in the technique of freediving, but at the same time emphasize it’s of paramount importance that each individual realize his/her own physical and mental limitations. Safety practices are encouraged at all times in club activities. Diving when enjoyed within the perimeter of generally accepted rules is considered to be safe.

For the past several years the club has been largely responsible for maintaining the existence of the sport of freediving spearfishing competition within the auspices of the Greater Los Angeles Council of Divers (GLACD). Spearfishing competition is included as one of the main functions of the GLACD charter and along with the underwater society of America (USOA) sanctions the sport. In the past one would see as many as fifty (50) or more competitors in the GLACD meets, however over the more recent years that number has diminished to essentially teams from the Fathomiers.

Some nationally and internationally renowned Fathomiers who have contributed immeasurably to competitive freediving spearfishing are: Gary Thompson, Rene Rojas, Gerald Lim, Al Schneppershoff, Don Heathcoat, Ken Pitcher and George Boss. Rene has represented either Chile or the United States in four (4) different World Meets and many other major competitions. A former lady member was multiple national women spearfishing champion. A look at the all-time record holders for selected species of fish one will see a considerable number of Fathomiers names.
 
A good number of the members have developed the expertise in making some of their own customized equipment. There’s no more prized big game spear gun than the one you personally design and build yourself. Many of us have our very own guns and other equipment, reels, trailing lines, weight belts, etc. which are personally made.

Some of the old timers have been active in the group longer than the total age of others. Bob Sellers is now the senior member after the loss in 2004 of our beloved patriarch and friend Ed Gulley. Bob has been around since early 1959. Some members go back over twenty, 30 and even over 40 years of active participation in the club. On the other hand, there’s a continuing source of “new blood”… younger Spearos who are eager to step up and take over the reins.

Whether it’s underwater hunting or merely exploring, those of us lucky enough to indulge in “free-diving”, the greatest sport imaginable, form a unique bond. We have a clearer appreciation of the ocean and its inhabitants by enjoying it first hand.