Biography

BIOGRAPHY

       I was born in Columbia, MO where my dad was attending Veterinary school and moved to Ashland, Oregon subsequent to his graduation. At age 6 I immigrated to Southern California and eventually landed in Laguna Beach where my love of the ocean developed.
        My neighbor on Crescent Bay and life-long friend Jim Hamilton was the old guy on the block being 5 years my senior. He is an avid water sportsman and mentored me in diving, body surfing, fiberglass and woodworking. At age 10, I speared my first fish (3-lb. white spotted croaker) with a Hawaiian sling. I can still vividly remember the stalk and exact location of the hunt. Today I laugh to think of myself …a skinny 10 year old walking down the beach triumphantly with a fish slung over my shoulder on the end of the spear while other beach-goers and lifeguards ogle the catch; what a heady experience.
        As kids, we quickly learned that scallops, lobster, and abalone were legal tender when dealing with adults, and for us, the barter system was as alive as in the days of the Native Americans.
       I took a scuba certification from NAUI at age 15. As a Laguna Beach “Artist” high school student, I thrilled in science and sports (baseball and cross-country). We were fortunate to have a teacher, who was previously a lifeguard, who offered us elective school classes in Oceanic Survival and Marine Biology. Other teachers provided the means for expansion of my artistic side in piano, ceramics and sculpting. During my last 2 years in Laguna, Jim enlisted my help as a paid-call fire fighter exposing me to the world of emergency medicine.
       I attended UCSC for my undergraduate education initially intending on Marine Biology as a major, but I discovered that my enjoyment of the marine environment was more recreational and my vocational interests tended towards the medical sciences prompting me to focus on biochemistry/molecular biology. I helped support my undergraduate education by working as an EMT and later as an X-ray technician after obtaining a credential at UC Berkeley and CA State licensure.
       My college peer advisor Agnes provided close personal counsel (as my fiancée) and traveled with me to the Midwest where I earned my medical science degree from St. Louis University. While there, I received clinical training in all the medical and surgical subspecialties on rotations with Washington University, Cook County Hospital Chicago, and Crow Indian reservation in Montana. While I enjoyed the broadening of my American experience that those years offered me, I longed for my return to the coast.
       Upon our return to Santa Cruz, Agnes and I were married. After another 5 years of career and home building, we were blessed with 2 sons. My family’s love and tolerance has persisted despite my neglectful absences during the many hours I tinker away in the shop and the many days I spend in the embrace of my mistress, the sea.
       My full-time vocation is my practice as a Physician Assistant in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. It affords me the cerebral stimulation of science, the manual labor of muscle/tendon/bone carpentry, and intimate participation in quality of life improvements for both athletes and elders. It has also contributed to my innovations in speargun design (see “arrow tracks”).
       Aside from freediving, my other recreational interests include: learning piano, dancing and attending theater with my wife, playing softball and coaching my sons in little league baseball, hockey, basketball and swimming. Our family enjoys camping, fishing, skiing, and attending professional sporting events (Go Sharks, Raiders, Dodgers, and Lakers!).

November 2004



BIOGRAPHY I was born in Columbia, MO where my dad was attending Veterinary school and moved to Ashland, Oregon subsequent to his graduation. At age 6 I immigrated to Southern California and eventually landed in Laguna Beach where my love of the ocean developed. My neighbor on Crescent Bay and life-long friend Jim Hamilton was the old guy on the block being 5 years my senior. He is an avid water sportsman and mentored me in diving, body surfing, fiberglass and woodworking. At age 10, I speared my first fish (3-lb. white spotted croaker) with a Hawaiian sling. I can still vividly remember the stalk and exact location of the hunt. Today I laugh to think of myself …a skinny 10 year old walking down the beach triumphantly with a fish slung over my shoulder on the end of the spear while other beach-goers and lifeguards ogle the catch; what a heady experience. As kids, we quickly learned that scallops, lobster, and abalone were legal tender when dealing with adults, and for us, the barter system was as alive as in the days of the Native Americans. I took a scuba certification from NAUI at age 15. As a Laguna Beach “Artist” high school student, I thrilled in science and sports (baseball and cross-country). We were fortunate to have a teacher, who was previously a lifeguard, who offered us elective school classes in Oceanic Survival and Marine Biology. Other teachers provided the means for expansion of my artistic side in piano, ceramics and sculpting. During my last 2 years in Laguna, Jim enlisted my help as a paid-call fire fighter exposing me to the world of emergency medicine. I attended UCSC for my undergraduate education initially intending on Marine Biology as a major, but I discovered that my enjoyment of the marine environment was more recreational and my vocational interests tended towards the medical sciences prompting me to focus on biochemistry/molecular biology. I helped support my undergraduate education by working as an EMT and later as an X-ray technician after obtaining a credential at UC Berkeley and CA State licensure. My college peer advisor Agnes provided close personal counsel (as my fiancée) and traveled with me to the Midwest where I earned my medical science degree from St. Louis University. While there, I received clinical training in all the medical and surgical subspecialties on rotations with Washington University, Cook County Hospital Chicago, and Crow Indian reservation in Montana. While I enjoyed the broadening of my American experience that those years offered me, I longed for my return to the coast. Upon our return to Santa Cruz, Agnes and I were married. After another 5 years of career and home building, we were blessed with 2 sons. My family’s love and tolerance has persisted despite my neglectful absences during the many hours I tinker away in the shop and the many days I spend in the embrace of my mistress, the sea. My full-time vocation is my practice as a Physician Assistant in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. It affords me the cerebral stimulation of science, the manual labor of muscle/tendon/bone carpentry, and intimate participation in quality of life improvements for both athletes and elders. It has also contributed to my innovations in speargun design (see “arrow tracks”). Aside from freediving, my other recreational interests include: learning piano, dancing and attending theater with my wife, playing softball and coaching my sons in little league baseball, hockey, basketball and swimming. Our family enjoys camping, fishing, skiing, and attending professional sporting events (Go Sharks, Raiders, Dodgers, and Lakers!). Copyright Scott Campbell Photography 2001 Copyright Scott Campbell Photography 2003 November 2004 Home \| Bio \| Woods \| Innovations \| Gun Models \| Fish Photos \| Contact \| Links Copyright 2003 Merlo Spearguns