Comments on: La Jolla Abalone Dive – Mac Meda Contest

By: John G.

John G. — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:40:48 +0000

There was a time when the hardest part of diving for abs was fashioning a tool out of flat steel, wrapping the handle so it did not butcher the hand. Holding our breath and diving with a gunny sack was easy and uneventful until I surfaced one time and saw my “buddy/partner” at the time, a terrified Jack Millikan (Vista de la Playa) swimming madly for shore. Seems he had an encounter with a “giant” ray. I believed him and quickly followed.

By: Kevin F.

Kevin F. — Tue, 24 May 2011 04:03:55 +0000

Here is some added info
First boat photo at the dock is the Lady Ann owned by Tony Schwartz, old time local fisherman and surfer, I think that is Tony with the fish and game.
The second boat photo is the Mary Ann owned by David Caloway, and missed by all his friends.
The white skiff L62D I think is David Bagda in his lobster skiff.
The large skiff with the net reel is owned by Donnie Tomlinson or know as (DT), one of the most respected and honest fisherman to play the game. We miss real pioneers like DT. That is Donnie at the stern of the skiff and I think that is Eber up at the bow of the skiff.
Brings back great times.
THANKS

By: Mark G.

Mark G. — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 05:24:02 +0000

Whenever the tide was low mom would send me down to Bird Rock. Steve and I would pry the abs off with our specially made bars (made in metal shop at Muirlands Jr. High). This was the early 70s.

By: Toni Meads

Toni Meads — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:15:52 +0000

geez this is what I remember about Abalonie…pounding..poundng…and more pounding..my step dad Steve Gray and Cookie Taylor would show up at the house with a bucket full and for the next hour or so my brother and I would be put to work, but man the results soooooo good!

By: Dennis Downie

Dennis Downie — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:17:44 +0000

Great web site!
I just found the remains of my 2nd Annual Mac Meda Ab Dive tee shirt, circa late 70’s? Also found 30 or so photos of actual dive
from Lady Ann boat belonging to Swartz? (forgive spelling).
Ab dive took place off Point Loma, Half out and half in the reserve.
Photos show Calif. Game warden boarding the Lady Ann and checking ab size and licsences.
I will try to post them.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 14:02:22 +0000

Ahhh, the beauty of youth!