California dragon swim

this one's a bit safer with the flames pointed up, until there's a bridge..:@

Take note of the bottles..

Last Dragon.. It takes a wee bit of Xmas cheer to get every one singing the X-mas Carols .;) Not to mention that cold water. I just remembered a great bridge jumping story for later.;)

Cheers, Don

I am looking forward to the story Don has promised reguarding the Dragon's history and hopefully where that whale fits in :thumbsup2:

Quote from Bamz

I am looking forward to the story Don has promised reguarding the Dragon's history and hopefully where that whale fits in :thumbsup2:

The whale was before my time as a member (1983) I have only know one Dragon and many years of good times.

What happens on the Dragon swim stays with the Dragon....but I have a few story's I can tell.;)

Cheers, Don

Quote from Don Paul

Will do when it gets closer to Christmas.:thumbsup2:

Cheers Don

Is it close enough to Christmas ?

I agree:thumbsup2:

Don- What year was the last photo you posted taken?

I believe it was the last dragon 2002 or 2003, my old news letters are in storage.

Cheers, Don

Wait for Santa..this isn't face Book:D Ive got presents to carve.

Cheers, Don

Quote from Bamz

I am looking forward to the story Don has promised reguarding the Dragon's history and hopefully where that whale fits in :thumbsup2:

Oldest dragon I can find is 1959.
1960 is a ice berg.
1970 Whale.
last one is 1964 Dragon.

I'll tell my first dragon story Tues called.... Cheerleader sacrifice in a red wool sweater. followed by....
Two sets of doubles and a vintage Doxa.

Cheers, Don

Cool pics! '64 looks like a Seahorse. I really like pics of the "Old Days"
Thanks Don

The Dragon swim is a unique event that used to take place in conjunction with the annual boat parade in Long Beach Harbor.A enormous fire breathing dragon is propelled by thirty to fifty Neptunes and few special guests.
The members are all adorned in red stocking caps as they swim the dragon through the harbor. The dragon it self is astonishing, but the history behind it's creation is truly amazing. One of the founders of the group told me the immense dragon started out as a small potted Christmas tree with lights.Little did Big Jim Christiansen and his friends know that on a cold night in December they would begin a tradition that would last for many decades.
For them, swimming around the harbor carrying a small Christmas tree with lights was all in a good days fun.
These were the days before wetsuits were invented, and therefore these Neptune members received rewards for braving the cold waters of December. As they swam to different boats displaying their lighted tree, the occupants of the boat usually found it in their hearts to issue these men a beer for the good nature.
After swimming through three or four rows of boats the men were sufficiently inebriated, and so started the tradition which is now known as the Dragon Swim.
This tradition, when analyzed, shows the ingenuity of the group along with their strong sense of pride. The dragon that evolved from a small potted Christmas tree was for a long time the lead float in the annual parade.
What was once a cheap way to get beer. is now a attention demanding pyrotechnic display with a forty human powered engine.Another aspect of the float that gives insight to the Neptunes true core values is the creature itself. In the days of uncharted waters tales of mighty sea monsters devouring boats struck fear into all sailors. The most formidable creature of them all, the sea dragon, was a force not to be doubted.The Neptune Dragon not only shows the group's creativity, but it is a symbol of the strength they possess in the aquatic environment.
I need to help the younger members to understand this, and help me bring the Dragon Swim back.

To be continued.....:D

Cheers, Don

very, very cool

I like

Quote from LunkerBuster

i hate to put you on the spot Don, but Xmas has come and gone and I would like to hear more stories from spearo legends

Story's suck with out pictures;) my HP scanner has been down and I refuse to buy any more HP stuff ever
after the MPLA BS. Than I remembered the stories might hurt any possibility of bringing back the Dragon Swim if the city officials read it. I need to not post when I'm having a Martini ;).

I need to hold off on my retro stuff until I post up some images of quality game fish taken this year...No shark stories or topless cheerleaders jumping off bridges into the cold Dec water:nono: and saved be yours truly.

Ok now that I think of it:) the topless cheerleader story needs to be told before lent.

Cheers, Don

I want more pictures of that dragon! Quote: Spearhunter.

Here at Speardiver we aim to please our members.:D

Cheers, Don

Way before I was a freediver I used to go watch the boat parade and saw you guys with the dragon, my friends who didn't know any better said it was the Neptunes, they are a scuba club :). Years later once I started freediving I ran into Scotty Defirmen (sorry scott I spelled that wrong) and learned it was a freediving club, I actually saw part of the last dragon go up on auction at their yearly auction. He said the city required too much insurance and bs from you guys and that was that. Man I really miss seeing that dragon, that's real history.

We gotta get that back! I remember seeing some of the pictures when I was researching the Neptunes. What a great tradition! I assumed it was still around and I was thinking about it when we were going out of Long Beach to dive Cat. Last weekend. Maybe that is something we can all work on? I am willing to write letters and show up to meetings. Let me know what I can do!