Frogmen of Bolinas

Helen Breger

Helen Breger depicts the landscape of the famously secluded Northern California town of Bolinas, and the figures of three divers who have just emerged from its adjoining bay. The eddying water lends a starkness stillness to the divers, who seem to loom intently before the viewer.

”Frogman” is the name used for combat divers trained in underwater military tactics; however it was originally coined to describe 19th century aquatic stuntman Paul Boynton. In addition to his entertaining daredevil pursuits, he invented the “immersion suit,” an inflatable rubber suit that over time would be improved upon and become today’s “drysuit,” and helped organize the United States’ Life-Saving Service, precursor to the National Coast Guard.